Round two in the fight over pet population control hits the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Tuesday in Santa Maria.

The board postponed a decision on a proposed law that would mandate owners to spay or neuter their dog or cats - with the exception of owners who have a note from their veterinarians - in order to give all county residents the chance to address the supervisors in person.

Approximately 55 people opined before the board last week in Santa Barbara, and the views were nearly evenly split between staunch supporters and dedicated opponents to the ordinance.

Speakers only get one chance to weigh in, so those who commented last week are asked to hold their peace Tuesday.

The supervisors could amend the proposed ordinance, reject it or approve a first reading, which would be the first of two steps to make enact the new law.

The proposed amendments to the county's dog-licensing ordinance allow owners who have a certificate from their veterinarian to purchase an unaltered animal license, and avoid having their pets spayed or neutered.

Otherwise, "for every owner in the county who owns a dog or cat over six months of age ... the owner shall have the dog or cat spayed or neutered," the proposed ordinance states.

The supervisors also have been presented with a recommendation to implement a pilot program that encompasses increased outreach and education to achieve a higher rate of dog and cat licensing compliance.

In a separate matter, 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal has asked the board to consider using $15,000 in tobacco settlement funding to cover the costs of testing ocean-water quality during the months of November through March.

Tobacco settlement funds are usually applied to various public health and Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health department programs, but in this case Carbajal proposes giving the money to a local environmental organization to test "select beaches along the South Coast," according to the plan summary.

Approval of the funding switch requires that four out of the five supervisors vote yes.

The board meets at 9 a.m. in the hearing room at the Betteravia Government Center at 511 E. Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria.

The public can address the board in person or by using the remote audio and video equipment on the fourth floor of the county Administration Building at 105 E. Anapamu St. in Santa Maria.

For more information or to watch the meeting online visit countyofsb.org.

November 9, 2009