Harrison County Animal Control in need of support...

NOAH WOODS - REPORTER


CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS EXCHANGE — skip to the 03:30 mark in the video

To see them ultimately approve another additional request from department, skip to the 39minute mark.

Harrison County Council Meeting - May 24th, 2021

  • April Breeden, director at Harrison County Animal came in front of the council at the last meeting to request an increase in payroll to get another part-time animal control officer, as well as a $.20 raise for another officer

  • Now requesting an additional $1,890 to give another employee a $.50 raise

    • This employee has been there for over 2 years, “she is the face of our shelter...that place could not run without her”

    • She was hired under the assumption that she would eventually transition into a full-time position

      • This has not occurred, the raise is a hope to help keep this valuable employee on at Animal Control. 

  • Animal Control is experiencing high turnover with their employees due to low-wages

    • Emphasized they get good workers, but they are having difficulty retaining these employees due to non-competitive pay

  • Kennel Techs make $8.71/Hour and it’s part-time employment

    • Breeden acknowledged that many view the job as not something that should be a career, but expressed how her employees really love their jobs and want to stay but are unable due to low wages.

  • They have had to close on Saturdays due to staffing problems.

  • Budgeted $71,560 for 4 Kennel Techs at 28 hours/week

    • Money being requested is to raise the current salaries of a couple of employees, plus hire a part-time animal control officer to replace the current officer about to go on maternity leave

    • The $.20 raise for one officer is due to extra responsibilities that are going to be taken on when another officer goes on maternity leave

  • Animal Control vs. Animal Shelter

    • Apparently, animal control is not eligible for state/federal grants because they are not a 501c3 organization, whereas Animal Shelters are due to their 501c3 status

    • Animal Control rep. stated that she recently learned of other government facilities gaining 501c3 status, often through creating a “Friends of _____” 

      • She believes this might be a potential route to garnering more funding for Animal Control through grants, but this process is complex and work-intensive and she has yet to find anyone willing and able to take on the endeavor

  • “Euthanizing ferals left and right”

    • Raised $6,000 dollars to get a spay/neuter suite in the facility so that vets can come to them, which will save a “tremendous” amount of money - however, the facility is going to cost an estimated $10k

      • Raised this point simply as an example of how conscious she is about maximizing the cost-effectiveness of Animal Control

Animal Control officer and office manager make $13/Hour, 1 Kennel Tech that has been there for 2+ years makes $10/hour, 3 other kennel techs make $8.71.