August 31, 2001

Honorable John Dowlin
Honorable Tom Neyer, Jr.
Hamilton County Commissioners
138 East Court Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Dear John and Tom:

I am writing to ask that you reconsider your decision this week to increase Hamilton County dog license fees by 44 percent. Reports indicate you were told this would bring us in line with other Ohio counties. This is incorrect.

Enclosed is a compilation of updated annual charges around the state with nearby counties in bold type. You will note the average charge is about $10.00. That includes a majority of nearby counties as well as Cuyahoga.

As you know I am deeply concerned for the continued success of the licensing program given the whopping increase. It is unfair to place the entire burden of supporting a program which benefits everyone on law-abiding dog owners alone.

Further, if the rationale is a potentially depleted General Fund, there is a glaring inconsistency in reducing the real estate transfer tax last year (which I supported) and then adding significantly to citizens' costs of having a pet.

Sincerely,

Dusty Rhodes

cc: Honorable Todd Portune
enclosure


ANNUAL DOG LICENSE CHARGES FROM REPORTING OHIO COUNTIES
Compiled by Hamilton County Auditor Dusty Rhodes, 8/30/01


$15     $13 Seneca   Lucas $12 Athens, Fulton, Greene, Hardin, Madison, Marion, Medina, Montgomery, Morrow, Putnam, Williams $11Pickaway, Van Wert $10 Belmont, Butler, Champaign, Clermont, Clinton, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Fairfield, Geauga, Hocking, Holmes, Knox, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Preble, Shelby, Stark, Union, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wood, Wyandot $9 Mercer $8 Brown,, Carroll, Columbiana, Delaware, Franklin (spayed or neutered) Lawrence, Licking, Portage, Trumbull, Tuscarawas $7 Coshocton, Monroe $6 Ashtabula, Highland $4 Adams, Pike