Dog licensing increase eyed

A proposed fee increase for the Humane Society of Yuma could have residents paying more if they don't keep Fido's license current.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors will host a public hearing Monday on a proposed increase on the rabies licensing late fee for pets.

If approved, that means it would cost residents $4 per month past due if they don't keep a dog's license current. The current cost is a one-time fee of $2. Currently, only dogs are required to have a license, which is a state mandate.

The public hearing will be at 9 a.m. Monday during the supervisors' regular meeting at 198 S. Main St. in Yuma. The meeting is open to the public.

According to the agenda for the meeting Monday, County Administrator Robert Pickels said that the request for the increased fee comes from the HSOY to encourage timely renewal.

"We're hopeful that this will encourage people to be a little more proactive in their license renewal," Pickels told the Yuma Sun.

Also at the meeting Monday, the supervisors will vote to approve additional funding for the Yuma County Health District. The $205,257 comes from a state grant and will provide the district with three health educator positions.

The district also received funding for tobacco education. The $280,000 from the Arizona Department of Health Services will provide tobacco education to all of Yuma County, including Yuma, Somerton, Gadsden, San Luis, Wellton, Dateland and Mohawk Valley.

According to the agenda for the meeting Monday, "health educators facilitate educational presentations and puppet shows at local schools in which students in all grades benefit from a combination of brief and intensive trainings. Intensive training covers topics such as self esteem, decision-making, tobacco basics, advertising and assertiveness training."

Pickels said the additional funding for new positions and enhancing services is a pleasant surprise because the health district has taken many funding cuts recently due to a decrease in funding from the state.