City looks to next step in enforcement

SHEPHERD — Now that the city has created a police department, the Shepherd City Council next looked into creating a position for animal control.

City Secretary Debra Hagler said that at its April 10 meeting, the council discussed hiring a dog catcher for the large amount of stray animals in the area.

Hagler said that while there is a need, the council opted to do more research on things such as who does what, what budget needs to be set, and where to house the animals, so research will be done, and the matter will be discussed at the next budget meeting.

In other business, the council:

•denied a request from Gil Smith to have his property removed from the city limits. Hagler said the property was on the border, and while Smith did not use city services, the council felt he was getting indirect benefits such as law enforcement, fire protection, and park and library access;

•approved a $5,000 donation for the annual fireworks display; and

•approved variance for Carla Mendez to place a mobile home at 20 Richey Road.