CADIZ — The Harrison County Auditor’s Office is inviting youth in the county to help kick off the upcoming dog license season with a coloring contest.

County Auditor Allison Anderson met with the Harrison County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday morning to announce the contest, which is now underway. The contest is being held ahead of the 2023 dog license season. Dog licenses must be purchased annually for any dog older than 3 months of age.

“We are starting the 2023 dog tag season, it starts in December. My office is actually going to hold a dog tag coloring contest for all preschoolers to sixth grade,” she said.

The coloring page — a fall-themed picture of a dog sporting a traditional pilgrim hat standing between a couple of pumpkins — can be found and downloaded from the auditor’s website at harrisoncountyohio.org under the auditor’s tab and clicking on “promotions.” The child’s name, grade and the phone number of an adult contact must be included in the submission.

A contest winner will be selected from each of two age groups — preschool through second grade and third grade to sixth grade.

“They will win a free dog tag and a little basket of goodies donated by the dog pound and the auditor,” she said.

Anderson said they will be passing out information on the contest to the local schools as well.

The contest will continue now through Dec. 2. Colored pictures can be emailed to the auditor’s office or dropped off at the courthouse or at the Harrison County Dog Pound in Cadiz.

The contest winners will be announced Dec. 16.

In other matters, a letter was received from the Eastern Ohio Development Alliance requesting a reappointment or appointment of a new member for the board of directors for the next term. The current member is listed as former commissioner Dale Norris, who died after a long battle with cancer on Aug. 27. Norris’ widow, Amy Norris, took over his seat the following month.

Commissioner Paul Coffland made a motion to appoint Commissioner Amy Norris to the board of directors; Commissioner Don Bethel seconded the motion, which was approved.

The term will run from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024.

Commissioners will next meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Harrison County Courthouse in Cadiz.