# RESOLUTION NO. 23-28

**REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN HICKMAN COUNTY**

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body passed Resolution 18-18 on August 29, 2018 approving the creation of an animal control program in Hickman County; and

WHEREAS, Shelter Friends of Hickman County was selected as the organization responsible for raising funds for the construction of an animal shelter and has worked toward that goal since the passage of Resolution 18-18; and

WHEREAS, land has been designated by Hickman County Government at 7918 North Lick Creek Road for the purpose of constructing an animal shelter; and

WHEREAS, Shelter Friends of Hickman County has raised approximately $200,000 toward a final construction price of $521,820 as noted in ATTACHMENT 1 containing the cost estimate and building plans; and

WHEREAS, a need continues to exist for animal control in Hickman County and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds are now available and eligible for use on such a construction project, which were not available at the time of the passage of Resolution 18-18; and

WHEREAS, volunteer organizations have performed the duties of animal control on behalf of Hickman County for a number of years, but those groups have expressed an immediate need for relief; and

WHEREAS, volunteer organizations, including Shelter Friends of Hickman County, desire to remain active participants in the animal control program upon construction of the animal shelter building; and

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body desires for Shelter Friends of Hickman County and other volunteer groups to continue assisting with fundraising and operations oversight upon completion of the animal shelter building; and

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body is desirous of assisting the volunteer organizations seeking relief, while also providing a needed service to the citizens of Hickman County, utilizing currently available ARPA funds.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Legislative Body of Hickman County, Tennessee that:

**I.** Hickman County Legislative Body shall allocate $550,000 of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds as a one-time contribution for the purpose of constructing a county-owned building to be utilized as an animal shelter at the designated location of 7918 North Lick Creek Road.

**II.** Funds shall be distributed to Shelter Friends of Hickman County as a nonprofit 501c3 organization, who shall oversee construction of the facility based on the plans, drawings, and cost estimates submitted to the Health, Safety, and Properties Committee.

**III.** Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall consult with the County Mayor, Finance Director, County Clerk, and other government officials as necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.

**IV.** Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall commit to managing and overseeing the daily operations of the animal shelter for a minimum of 2 years upon completion of the building to fulfill commitments made to the Hickman County Legislative Body in exchange for construction funding.

**V.** The County Mayor, along with the County Attorney and Sheriff, shall develop and submit to the Legislative Body for approval a Memorandum of Understanding between Hickman County Government and Shelter Friends of Hickman County. The MOU shall outline the roles and responsibilities of each entity upon completion of the building, which shall be owned by Hickman County Government, who reserves the right to repurpose the building for any such use in the future as approved by the Hickman County Legislative Body should the agreement expire or be terminated by either party.

**VI.** Hickman County Government shall be responsible for building maintenance, insurance, and utilities; hiring, supervision, and compensation of one animal control officer through the Hickman County Sheriff's Department.

**VII.** Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring animal shelter policies and operating procedures; developing, monitoring, and funding its own annual budget for shelter operations; hiring, training, supervision, and compensation of any additional employees they choose to hire other than the one provided animal control officer through the Sheriff's Department; all costs associated with animal care such as food, medicine, and veterinary services; routine cleaning of the facility.

**VIII.** Hickman County Government, through facilitation by the County Mayor and County Attorney and approval by the Legislative Body, shall enter into a lease agreement with Shelter Friends of Hickman County for the use of the new county-owned building as an animal shelter. The initial agreement shall be for a period of two years, and shall automatically renew annually for an additional year unless either party chooses to terminate the agreement. The annual fee shall be one dollar ($1) per year.

**IX.** This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage, the public welfare requiring it. Any prior resolutions in conflict herewith be and the same rescinded insofar as such conflicts exist.

Adopted by the Hickman County Commission on this 25th day of September, 2023.

A floor amendment (Dusty Jordan, seconded by Steve Gianakos) sought to add under Section 8 that if either party terminated the agreement, no tax dollars would be used to continue shelter operations. It failed 4–10. Voting yes on that amendment: Steve Gianakos, Dusty Jordan, Ron Mayberry, and Wylie McNair.

Public comment urged passage, citing stray and dangerous animals and nearly $220,000 already donated. Floor debate focused on whether an MOU should be finished before money is released; sponsors said this vote commits construction funding first, with operational details to come back for approval. A later budget amendment would still be needed to move the ARPA funds.

**Sponsors:** Matthew Barnhill, District 3; Todd Collins, District 2; Clay Chessor, District 1; Devin Pickard, District 6

**Motion:** Matthew Barnhill, seconded by Clay Chessor.

**Commission action:** 11 Aye, 3 Nay — Adopted.

**Nay:** Ricky Murray, Dusty Jordan, and (from the roll-call transcript) a third no, likely Steve Gianakos; the minutes OCR lists 11 yes / 3 no without names.

RESOLUTION NO. 23-28

REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER IN HICKMAN COUNTY

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body passed Resolution 18-18 on August 29, 2018 approving the creation of an animal control program in Hickman County; and

WHEREAS, Shelter Friends of Hickman County was selected as the organization responsible for raising funds for the construction of an animal shelter and has worked toward that goal since the passage of Resolution 18-18; and

WHEREAS, land has been designated by Hickman County Government at 7918 North Lick Creek Road for the purpose of constructing an animal shelter; and

WHEREAS, Shelter Friends of Hickman County has raised approximately $200,000 toward a final construction price of $521,820 as noted in ATTACHMENT 1 containing the cost estimate and building plans; and

WHEREAS, a need continues to exist for animal control in Hickman County and American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds are now available and eligible for use on such a construction project, which were not available at the time of the passage of Resolution 18-18; and

WHEREAS, volunteer organizations have performed the duties of animal control on behalf of Hickman County for a number of years, but those groups have expressed an immediate need for relief; and

WHEREAS, volunteer organizations, including Shelter Friends of Hickman County, desire to remain active participants in the animal control program upon construction of the animal shelter building; and

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body desires for Shelter Friends of Hickman County and other volunteer groups to continue assisting with fundraising and operations oversight upon completion of the animal shelter building; and

WHEREAS, the Hickman County Legislative Body is desirous of assisting the volunteer organizations seeking relief, while also providing a needed service to the citizens of Hickman County, utilizing currently available ARPA funds.

Now, therefore be it resolved by the Legislative Body of Hickman County, Tennessee that:

I. Hickman County Legislative Body shall allocate $550,000 of American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds as a one-time contribution for the purpose of constructing a county-owned building to be utilized as an animal shelter at the designated location of 7918 North Lick Creek Road.

II. Funds shall be distributed to Shelter Friends of Hickman County as a nonprofit 501c3 organization, who shall oversee construction of the facility based on the plans, drawings, and cost estimates submitted to the Health, Safety, and Properties Committee.

III. Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall consult with the County Mayor, Finance Director, County Clerk, and other government officials as necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.

IV. Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall commit to managing and overseeing the daily operations of the animal shelter for a minimum of 2 years upon completion of the building to fulfill commitments made to the Hickman County Legislative Body in exchange for construction funding.

V. The County Mayor, along with the County Attorney and Sheriff, shall develop and submit to the Legislative Body for approval a Memorandum of Understanding between Hickman County Government and Shelter Friends of Hickman County. The MOU shall outline the roles and responsibilities of each entity upon completion of the building, which shall be owned by Hickman County Government, who reserves the right to repurpose the building for any such use in the future as approved by the Hickman County Legislative Body should the agreement expire or be terminated by either party.

VI. Hickman County Government shall be responsible for building maintenance, insurance, and utilities; hiring, supervision, and compensation of one animal control officer through the Hickman County Sheriff's Department.

VII. Shelter Friends of Hickman County shall be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring animal shelter policies and operating procedures; developing, monitoring, and funding its own annual budget for shelter operations; hiring, training, supervision, and compensation of any additional employees they choose to hire other than the one provided animal control officer through the Sheriff's Department; all costs associated with animal care such as food, medicine, and veterinary services; routine cleaning of the facility.

VIII. Hickman County Government, through facilitation by the County Mayor and County Attorney and approval by the Legislative Body, shall enter into a lease agreement with Shelter Friends of Hickman County for the use of the new county-owned building as an animal shelter. The initial agreement shall be for a period of two years, and shall automatically renew annually for an additional year unless either party chooses to terminate the agreement. The annual fee shall be one dollar ($1) per year.

IX. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage, the public welfare requiring it. Any prior resolutions in conflict herewith be and the same rescinded insofar as such conflicts exist.

Adopted by the Hickman County Commission on this 25th day of September, 2023.

A floor amendment (Dusty Jordan, seconded by Steve Gianakos) sought to add under Section 8 that if either party terminated the agreement, no tax dollars would be used to continue shelter operations. It failed 4–10. Voting yes on that amendment: Steve Gianakos, Dusty Jordan, Ron Mayberry, and Wylie McNair.

Public comment urged passage, citing stray and dangerous animals and nearly $220,000 already donated. Floor debate focused on whether an MOU should be finished before money is released; sponsors said this vote commits construction funding first, with operational details to come back for approval. A later budget amendment would still be needed to move the ARPA funds.

Sponsors: Matthew Barnhill, District 3; Todd Collins, District 2; Clay Chessor, District 1; Devin Pickard, District 6

Motion: Matthew Barnhill, seconded by Clay Chessor.

Commission action: 11 Aye, 3 Nay — Adopted.

Nay: Ricky Murray, Dusty Jordan, and (from the roll-call transcript) a third no, likely Steve Gianakos; the minutes OCR lists 11 yes / 3 no without names.