Multiple Bradley County commissioners suggested during their Monday working session meeting that the SPCA shelter needed some sort of capacity limit set.
Commissioner Charlotte Peak-Jones said she did not think a capacity would "make this a kill facility."
Commissioner Bill Winters said, "We got into this as a rescue shelter, not longterm care."
Others suggested a "trigger capacity," which would allow the shelter to stop accepting animals for the day if they reached a certain number without being in violation of the contract with the county.
The current contract states that the shelter will take in animals seven days a week. However, Commissioner Peak-Jones pointed out that it does not say the shelter has to take them immediately.
It was also noted that while the state of Tennessee does not have laws regarding a specific capacity, there are laws against neglect. Overcrowding can be considered a type of neglect.
Commissioner Ed Elkins said, "I don't want us to get into a situation where we would have any liability on that."
During the meeting, the process of putting more employees in the septic permit office was also discussed.
Commissioner Elkins suggested petitioning the state for more money for this department.
He said, "My recommendation is that you approach the state with all of these facts and figures and petition them to increase the amount of money to provide the extra help."
He continued, "My position is still that Bradley County, since they're getting no revenue off this, should not have to pay."
It was also announced during the meeting that Constable Jesse Hughes would be retiring. Constable Hughes is the longest serving constable in the history of Bradley County, having served for 32 years.