Commissioners raise estray fees, add cancellation pay to improve livestock pickups

Commissioners removed the estray policy from the table and reviewed proposed changes to the county's livestock pickup fees intended to better compensate contractors who gather stray animals.

Murray, a county staff member, said he consulted other counties and recommended aligning Limestone County's schedule with Freestone County's higher rates. Murray explained the county typically recovers costs from livestock owners but needs higher contractor pay so contractors will respond: "...we're just want to increase the fees that we may have to charge... to make sure that we get our money back." The changes included raising the initial call‑out fee, increasing per‑head payments, boosting mileage to $1.75 per mile, and adding a cancellation/no‑catch fee of $50 when contractors are dispatched and the call is canceled.

Commissioners moved and approved adopting the updated fee schedule to improve response rates for stray livestock pickup and to reimburse costs from owners when animals are recovered.