Moore presents Animal Shelter concerns at Commissioners meeting

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by BRITTANY HALL

The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners met for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, September 19. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Sherrod at 6 p.m. at the John C. Coleman Hotel located in downtown Swainsboro. Commissioner Desse Davis presented the invocation and Vice Chairman Commissioner Hugh Foskey led the pledge of allegiance. Minutes from the regular August 15 meeting of the Commissioners, the millage rate adoption meeting on August 25, the budget hearing meeting on September 6, and the workshop meeting on September 14, were presented for review. Foskey motioned for the approval of minutes as presented and was seconded by Davis with all remaining Commissioners voting accordingly.

Public Comments

Barb Moore, representing the Emanuel County Humane Society, then approached Commissioners to address the public comments and concerns of the Emanuel County Animal Shelter. Her presentation included informative details about who the Emanuel County Humane Society is, what they do, their mission statement and how they differ from the Emanuel County Animal Shelter. “We are not the Animal Shelter; we are a separate organization that supports the animal shelter.” She explained, “We have different missions, in a sense. We work together but the animal shelter is basically animal control to keep our public safe, that’s what they are all about. The Humane Society focuses on the humane treatment of animals and quality treatment; helping animals find homes and educating the public on their care, as I said on our mission statement.” Moore then went on to discuss funding of the Humane Society, “We reorganized in August of 2015. We rely on the public and the community for donations and memberships, that’s where our money comes from. We have supported free adoption since 2016 as well as several adoption services over the years. With those community funds we’ve spent over $21,000 to adopt animals and to provide their flea and rabies vaccines. We have spent over $19,000 over the last seven years to provide medicines and needed vaccinations for every dog that enters that animal shelter, however the city and county have provided $0, for adoptions and routine vaccinations. That’s not what they do, that’s what we do.” She then addressed the concerns that are felt about the Animal Shelter, unanimously between the community and the Humane Society, “Our immediate concern is the increase in euthanasia for the sole purpose of providing space and complying with state laws. Over the last few months, the shelter has euthanized almost 50 dogs. In our humble opinion, that is a travesty. There’s a lot of reasons for it, the economy, covid, many people adopted dogs but took them back to the shelter. Because of this, there’s no room for all of the dogs and they don’t have the money to pay for the dog’s needs.” She then addressed long term concerns, “Our long-term concern is that euthanizing these animals will become business as usual. Before we reformed in 2015, our shelter was euthanizing over 900 dogs a year, since we have reformed and worked with this shelter, our average over the last four years is less than 20 dogs and those are dogs that had to be put down and could not sustain life. We have concerns about the SPLOST funding, the shelter management, and the way the city is managing the shelter including their lack of concern about euthanization and their lack of concern to hire a third staff member. There’s room in the budget for three full time staff members and they have had two for the last several months. I’ve not seen any advertisements in paper for that position in the last few weeks so that’s a concern. The lack of staffing leads to a lower number of animals that they can keep at one time, there has to be a distinct ratio of staff to animals. Also, the lack of transparency in budgets for the animal control versus expenditures, where are the donations going? There’s not even enough money for food for these animals and there hasn’t been since 2016. We have questions about the overall county, future involvement with the shelter. Guy and I have talked about the possibility of the county taking over the running of the shelter. In fact, you asked me a few years ago to get a committee together and I have, and we came up with an SOP – Standing Operating Procedures for the shelter, I don’t know what happened with that but let me ask you what is the future of the animal shelter? Have you discussed taking over the shelter?” On behalf of all the Commissioners, Chairman Sherrod then explained that they want to help and discuss these concerns further but not within the business meeting that was currently being held. With that said, County Administrator, Singletary, scheduled a meeting for later this week to discuss SPLOST funding, management and the overall concerns of the Animal Shelter with Moore, the Humane Society, and the Commissioners. They also want to stress to the community the importance of adopting. By doing so you’re saving an innocent life and gaining a new best friend.

Business Comments

David Erwin with Mauldin and Jenkins approached Commissioners with the Counties 2021 Audit Presentation. “The purpose of this presentation is to provide you all an overall overview of our 2021 audit report, review the financial statement highlights, discuss some information, and answer any questions that you may have. We conduct our audit in accordance with the general set audit standards and governmental audit standards and I’m happy to say that we are issuing a clean or unmodified opinion on this year’s report.” He then commended County Administrator Singletary on a job well done, “I do want to thank Guy for all his help in getting this year’s audit completed. This was our first-year auditing you all and as you can imagine there is a bit of a learning curve that comes with first year audits. Guy was very accommodating to our team and worked extremely hard to answer all our questions and provide us with everything that we needed so I just want to thank him for his hard work this year.” Erwin then provided a brief overview of the county’s financial statements, “Of all the various funds of the county, if I were in your shoes my primary interest would be the general fund. The general fund is the primary fund of the county and where the majority of your revenue is received. The total revenue of the general fund for 2021 is around $14.8 million which is around two million dollars higher than it was in 2020. As you would expect most of your revenues are derived from taxes so much of this fund is made up between property taxes, sales taxes, motor vehicle taxes, insurance premium taxes, and charges for services.” He then discussed expenditures, “Expenditures are around $13.3 million dollars for the year. That’s an increase at around $1.1 million compared to what it was in 2020.” He went on to provide Commissioners with an overview of the county’s public works expenditures, “Your public safety is around $4.3 million this year. That accounted for around 32% of the general funds total which is right in line with what we see in communities your size. Your public works expenditure is around $3.3 million for the year. In total the general funds fund balance has increased by an amount of $50,000.” Erwin further stated that the county should be proud of its budget because it’s a strong, fund balance for a county that is our size. Singletary then commended his staff for the impeccable job that they did in providing Mauldin and Jenkins with everything that was needed to ensure that the 2021 audit performed smoothly. “They’re outstanding and deserve a pat on the back.” Singletary said regarding their performance.

Old Business

• Discussion was held on the Hospital Authority Vacancies and three names were provided to fill those vacancies with one other name being reappointed to the board. A vote between Commissioners was held to submit Smith Edenfield back onto the Hospital Authority’s board and was motioned by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Foskey with all other Commissioners voting unanimously. Three names were then discussed after being motioned by Commissioner Canady who suggested John Allen Bailey, Rusty Simmons, and Kyle Canady for the vacancies. Commissioner Foskey seconded with all other votes being unanimous. County Administrator, Singletary, then explained that these are qualified candidates but ultimately the Hospital Authority has the responsibility to choose one, so for those who are submitting their names but are not chosen to fill the role, don’t become discouraged because while you are all qualified, one name can only be chosen to represent the board.

New Business

• District Attorney Tripp Fitzner approached Commissioners to discuss the CJCC Grant Approval. “Since 2009 we have been receiving federal grants through the CJCC. Right now, we have two grants. One is for $161,844 and another for $50,000 and those collectively fund four positions and that’s money that the county doesn’t have to spend under the competency program. The way things should happen is every other year we get a site visit from the CJCC which is kind of like an audit would be the closest thing that I can compare it too only the financial aspect of that is up to about 25% with the other 75% are all various policies and procedures that they want to be sure that we follow. Since the last site visit until now, one of the things that has change is that they now want the county to do the services for the physical agent which in this case is Emanuel County because it’s where we are and where we’re receiving the funds that we’re already getting. It’s not costing you anything, nothing is changing is just that they want formality that you are accepting money that we’re already spending. I’m just here to ask that you all continue to accept it because as I said before, it's funding four positions and 95% of it goes to salaries and it is money that none of the county is having to spend on these positions.” Following Fritzner’s presentation, Canady motioned to collect the grant money on behalf of the D.A.’S office and Davis seconded with all other votes being unanimous.

• County Administrator, Singletary, presented the County’s balance of the 2022/2023 general fund budget for approval with resolutions to adopt the amount of $14,471,125.00. He also submitted the special revenue fund of various amounts that operate as balanced budget and capital project funds. Davis motioned with Foskey seconding and all other Commissioners voted unanimously.

• Discussion was held on the Counties negotiations with the LOST distribution agreement so that Emanuel County can continue to collect LOST for the next decade. “The sole purpose of LOST is that every dollar collected in LOST has to be shown as a rollback on the tax period, that’s the purpose of LOST and what we use it for.” Singletary explained. Foskey motioned for approval with Davis seconding and all other votes being unanimous.

• Discussion was held on the Enterprise Lease Program. Singletary explained further, “With the budget you just adopted just as budgets you’ve adopted in the past, we allocate a third dollar amount annually that varies slightly from year to year for capital purchases for fleet. That’s what keeps our patrol cars running, our public works vehicles running, and what keeps our tax assessors code enforcement vans that deliver meals within the community running and what keeps the vehicles that transport our children to and from school and community and extracurricular events, running. Because of covid, it has gotten to be more difficult to source fleet. We have been looking into a partnership with Enterprise to participate in their Fleet Management Program. Ultimately, we will be able to source vehicles at their discount pricing, plus our government pricing while also developing maintenance programs that will determine the optimal time to trade in and sell these vehicles so that we’re getting the most bang for our buck and several thousand dollars under the private sectors price. Canady motioned for approval with Thompson seconding and all other Commissioners motioning unanimously.

• Discussion was held on the purchase of a new ambulance. The last ambulance that was purchased a few years ago was priced at $145,000 and the one that was presented at this meeting for review is priced at $188,895. Singletary reminded Commissioners that it’s been very difficult to obtain quotes and that this is a piece of equipment that the community cannot go without and will likely take a year to receive. He also added that they will apply for grants to help with the purchase of the emergency vehicle and that it’s a SPLOST project and there is enough money to allocate the purchase of one vehicle from that funding. Canady motioned to purchase the vehicle at $188,895 with Thompson seconding his motion and all other Commissioners voting unanimously.

• Discussion was held regarding the land use code review contract. Singletary presented a professional proposal from Hatley Plans to provide a list of the counties existing land use codes at the price of $5,250.00. After consideration, Davis motioned, and Canady seconded with all other votes being unanimous.

• Discussion was held on the LMIG project which is an assessment of roads within the county and need resurfacing. Although paving costs have been raised, Singletary explained that the county can send an application to GDOT to receive the annual grant which will help cover these fees on the roads that are proposed for resurfacing for the year of 2022-2023. Commissioner Foskey motioned to resurface Garfield and Page Garrett Road while Canady motioned for Mixon Road, and Davis seconded. All other Commissioners voted unanimously.

• Discussion was held on the purchase of three M5111 Kabota Tractor’s from Perrin Farming for the price of $62,500 through SPLOST funding. This will be for the public works use to maintain the sides of the county roads with clean, cut grass. Canady motioned and Foskey seconded with all other motions being unanimous.

• Discussion was held on the purchase of new 911 radio consoles at the price of $577,753. Singletary explained that this is the biggest SPLOST project that the county has and that these consoles are needed before dispatchers are moved to the new 911 building so that there will still be emergency communication capabilities throughout the county. Thompson motioned for the approval of this much needed system and purchase and Canady seconded with all other votes being unanimous.

With no further comments or going into executive session the meeting was adjourned.