Birnamwood Village Board amends dog licensing fees

The Birnamwood Village Board amended its dog license late fee ordinance during its regular May 10 meeting.

The ordinance previously stated that the clerk will assess and collect a late fee of $5 from every owner of a dog that is five months of age or over if the owner fails to obtain a license prior to April 1 of each year, within 30 days of acquiring ownership of a licenseable dog, or if the owner fails to obtain a license on or before the dog reaches a licenseable age. The late fee will be charged in addition to the required license fee.

Birnamwood Village Clerk Lauri Klumpyan said that after April 1, she has to send the owner of the pets a first warning letter. Two weeks after that she has to send them a certified letter that says that they have seven days to act.

She also added that reminders are in place for this ordinance.

“They have had notification with their tax bill, I have put reminders in the newsletter, I have reminders at the bank and post office and at the community center, and it is posted on our website,” Klumpyan said. “It is their responsibility to get their pet licensed.”

Birnamwood Village Board President Mike Sprague suggested the monetary fees should be associated with those who are late in licensing their pets.

“I think we should have standard fees and license fees on one line,” said Sprague. “A late fee — you have from whenever you pay your taxes until the first of April. Say the original amount is $5, the late fee is $10 — paid after the April 1 warning, it is $20. After the registered letter warning, it’s $40.”

The first $5 late fee cannot be assessed until after April 1.

“Five is already the late fee,” said board trustee Jody Dombrowski. “When they get the certified letter, they should have to pay more.”

After a discussion, the board decided on a solution revolving around the late fees.

“So we want a $5 fee for the license and we want a $5 late fee after April 1?” asked Dombrowski.

“Two weeks after that it will go $10 more,” said board trustee Ron Resch. “That is the only way to do — the only way that they will understand.”

Klumpyan said that those fees applied per animal in an owner’s household.

She also added the stipulation that if they have not paid by May 1, it is another $10.

The final wording of the amendment was a $5 fee, then a $5 late fee, and an additional $10 after the third notice.

If the fees aren’t paid after the third notice, then the county is notified.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com