§ 1-4-46. Animal care trust fund.

There is hereby created the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund for the purpose of establishing a fund, separate from the budget of Charlotte County Animal Control, to assist with necessary veterinary testing, treatment, medication, surgery, boarding, housing and post-veterinary care costs incurred by Charlotte County Animal Control upon taking an animal into its custody and control that has been subjected to animal neglect or cruelty, thereby preventing further cruelty to the animal by providing for rehabilitation or general care.

(1)

A Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund account shall be established and maintained separate and apart from the general revenue fund and accounts of Charlotte County.

(2)

The Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund shall receive ten (10) percent of the face value of each animal control penalty citation prior to the addition of surcharges and administrative fees as set forth under section 1-4-40 hereinabove when monies are collected.

(3)

All donations, whether public or private, including gifts, grants and awards of money, made to the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund shall be expended, utilized and distributed only for the use and purpose of providing for the welfare of animals in the custody or control of Charlotte County Animal Control as specified herein.

(4)

All donations, whether public or private, including gifts, grants and awards of money, made to Charlotte County Animal Control shall be considered donations to the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund unless otherwise noted.

(5)

Monies obtained hereunder may be accepted on behalf of the animal care trust fund by the Charlotte County Animal Control Division Manager or designee and upon receipt of said monies shall cause the same to be delivered for deposit into the animal care trust fund account.

(6)

The Charlotte County Animal Control Division Manager, or a designee, may authorize expenditures in accordance with current purchasing procedures and policies.

(7)

Expenditures may be made from the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund that will supplement or enhance services provided by Charlotte County Animal Control where such services directly benefit the animals in the custody or control of Charlotte County Animal Control. These services may include, but are not limited to veterinary testing, treatment, medication, surgery, boarding, housing and post-veterinary care.

(8)

Charlotte County Animal Control shall be responsible to ensure the funds both received and expended from the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund are utilized in accordance with this Code.

(9)

Charlotte County Animal Control shall be responsible for the proper tracking and documentation of all transactions related to this fund.

(10)

Funds deposited to the Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund that have not been expended at the close of any fiscal year shall remain in the fund and be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

(11)

The Charlotte County Animal Care Trust Fund shall be self-perpetuating from year to year unless formally terminated by the board of county commissioners.

(Ord. No. 2014-039, § 1, 10-28-14)