An ad hoc committee of the Bradley County Commission favors shifting animal control services to the city of Cleveland under a $300,000 contract.
Commissioner Thomas Crye, who heads the committee, said the vote was 2-1. Also on the panel are Commissioners Mike Hughes and Dan Rawls.
Commissioner Rawls said, "This is not a good deal for Bradley County taxpayers and I will not be voting for this change."
The $300,000 would include animal pickup in the county, Commissioner Crye said.
There would be a 10-year deal with a cost escalator of 1.5 percent per year.
He said the charge would be $120,000 with what we have now" - no pickup in the county.
Another option is to continue letting the SPCA handle animal services for the county.
Commissioner Crye said with a full service operation the cost "is going to be $300,000, plus or minus."
In another matter, County Mayor D. Gary Davis said Congressman Scott DesJarlais has invited the commissioners to lunch on Thursday at Golden Corral.
"It's not often we get a chance to sit down with a Congressman," he said.