by Carla Gray
carla@themonitor.net

GUN BARREL CITY‑The Gun Barrel City council met July 28 for their regular monthly meeting. The council approved adopting an Ordinance O-2026-35 , calling for a city-related special election for November 3, relating to the repeal of Ordinance O-2026-003.
During the April 28 city council meeting, Ordinance 0-2026-003 was brought before the council for recommended amendments. Then - City Manager Dr. Angela Smith said, “That a discussion was held regarding some of the updates that were made, including an update on definitions for the city's animal control officer, assistance animals, pets and service animals. The authority of the animal control officer’s duty was updated as well as enforcement. Changes were made regarding it being unlawful for a person to interfere with the animal control officer doing their duties and allowing the animal control officer to enter private property if they are in pursuit of an animal. The section regarding animal nuisance related to the slaughtering of animals was changed as well as the language to clarify the number of animals allowed and provide some exceptions. Updated language regarding the registration of animals to include that the city may establish a fee was changed and a couple updates on personal information were changed. Rabies vaccination requirements were changed to three years, and a grandfather clause was included. Fees were reduced to zero for registration, however they were increased for offenses and removed fee for livestock.” The vote passed with a 3-1, Rita Evans voted no.
Two months later, at the June 23 council meeting, City Secretary Janet Dillard presented the council with a petition that was delivered to city hall June 5. The petition had 207 signatures asking to repeal Ordinance 0-2026-003. During the council meeting, Dillard presented to the council a certification of sufficiency of the referendum petition for Ordinance number 0-2026-003 regarding animal control. Dillard said, “Following a review of the petition, 207 signatures were verified and the petition is legally sufficient. Upon receiving this sufficiency, the city council is required to reconsider the challenged legislation and act to either repeal the ordinance entirely or call for a special election and send it to the voters. Staff has drafted Ordinance 02026-027 if the council desires to repeal or you may reject this ordinance and place it on a ballot at the next available uniform election date, which would be in November of this year (2026).” The council decided to send the repeal to voters  November 3.
At the July 28 council meeting, council members took action to have a special election to submit to voters a proposition relating to a “For” or “Against” repeal on Ordinance 0-2026-003. According to Dillard, a vote to repeal the new animal control law means the rules and fee schedule created under Ordinance O-2026-003 would be canceled. She said, A vote for “Against” Ordinance 0-2026-003 means in favor of keeping the new animal control law.  Dilliard continued, if the “Against” vote is successful, the rules and fee schedule created under Ordinance O-2026-003 would remain in place.
In other business, the council:
• Approved Resolution R-2026-014, approving a municipal maintenance agreement for maintenance, control, supervision and regulation of state highways within the corporate limits of the city.
• Approved demolition of unsafe structures located at 160 Box Road.
• Approved demolition of unsafe structures located at 304 Valleyview.
• Approved an interlocal agreement with Henderson County to conduct the city’s November 3, special election.