The Oklahoma State Capital

Wild animals who roam the City of Guthrie will have one more obstacle to contend with during the upcoming fiscal year. On a split 6-1 vote, the council approved adding a second full-time animal control officer to the police department staff. In addition, by moving funding of this position, Ward I Councilor Robert Davis also moved for the hiring of a second part-time finance officer for city treasurer Calvert's office. This was done despite the fact that no visible funding was available for this action.

The controversy arose when Ward III Councilor Grant Aguirre moved that the proposed FY 2001 budget be amended so that the second part-time finance officer could be added to the staff. Councilor Aguirre felt it was important to the integrity of the city budget process that the audits continue to be clean and clear. Aguirre said city clerk Calvert has had to be responsible for the budgeting process and that she could use help with her duties. As city clerk, Mrs. Calvert also serves as the city treasurer. Aguirre feels the financial position has priority over the animal control post. He did not include the financing of the second full-time animal control officer in his motion.

Two citizens spoke out in support of expanding the role of the animal control department. One, a Mrs. Gnomes from the west side of Guthrie, complained that her neighbors allow their dogs to roam the neighborhood. She said they let the animals out on purpose because they know there is only one animal control officer on duty. She is tired of cleaning up after the animals and wants a second officer to be available during these hours.

Despite the fact that citizens in the audience were requesting the second officer, Councilor Aguirre reiterated his support of the finance position. According to Aguirre, accountability with the people's funds is more essential than the funding of new control officers. Ward I Councilor Davis disagrees.

He feels that the people see the effect of an officer on the street much more than a finance clerk at City Hall. This viewpoint led Davis into a brief discussion with Aguirre on which position was more important. The clear indication was that the budget could be amended only to support one of the positions.

In a 2 to 5 vote, the council disagreed with Aguirre and voted not to fund the finance position at the expense of the animal control department. The two votes in favor of Aguirre's motion were Aguirre and Ward I Councilor Morelli. The defeat marked the first time since the city banner discussion in 1999, that the "nay" votes have carried a proposition.

Davis then purposed funding both positions. He moved that the funds be found somewhere, possibly by targeting city council expenditures for the training of council members. Aguirre disagreed and responded by saying the training of councilmen was important. Davis's motion was seconded by Ward II Councilor Chamber and passed by a 6-1 majority. Ward II Councilor Foster than suggested the city put off the refurbishment of a structure near the fire station in order to fund both positions. Ward III Councilor Hampton agreed and in an unanimous decision the council concluded that this would be the appropriate action. The FY 2001 budget was approved shortly thereafter and will dictate the city's expenditures for the next 15 months.