Health ordinance not on Callaway County agenda

The recently completed proposed health ordinance has yet to appear on the Callaway County Commission's agenda, Commissioner Roger Fischer said.

Fischer, who initially proposed the health ordinance but was not involved in writing the final draft, said he had read through the final version thoroughly.

"I think they did a good job with it," he added.

Members of the Citizens Health Advisory Committee turned over the completed ordinance March 12. At the time, they requested a response from commissioners within a week, committee member Jeff Jones said at the time.

"We respectfully request your timely review and recommendations for putting this to the vote of the people," said Leo Patrick Smith, another committee member, in an email to commissioners.

Last week, Jones said while he understood commissioners were being kept busy by the recent upheaval in the county collector's office, he hopes they won't forget to review the proposed ordinance. When an ordinance is proposed in Callaway County, commissioners decide whether to put it to a public vote.

The full 35-page ordinance, which includes 13 sections and several appendices, can be viewed at bit.ly/2p944Bl. If passed, it would establish health regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations including standards for the permitting of a new CAFO and requirements for construction, operations and waste disposal.

It also requires those applying for a county health permit to establish a CAFO to "demonstrate financial insurance" by obtaining a surety bond or insurance.

CAFOs and animal-feeding operations still in existence in the county if and when the ordinance passes will be grandfathered in and not "subject to any penalties or charges for violations thereof."