061820
Animal Services Advisory
Board Meeting
6:00 pm, June 18, 2020
There was a meeting of the Randolph County Animal Services Board on
Thursday, June 18, 2020, Meeting Room A, County Office Building, 725 McDowell
Road, Asheboro, N.C.
1: Chairman Frye called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm and the following
members were in attendance: Darrell Frye, David Allen, Lisa Sparks, J.R. Beard,
Cynthia Grantham, Jason Balder, Sgt. Lawrence Albright.
2: County Manager Hal Johnson reviewed with the Board the new organizational
structure of the Department of Animal Services. Johnson said there were always
many challenges when establishing a new Department. However, he was proud of
the professionalism and dedication of the staff, and all that they had accomplished
during the first year of operations.
Johnson said he had appointed Heather Wood as Animal Services Operations
Manager. In this role, Heather would be responsible for managing all activities at
the shelter, including animal care, adoptions, volunteer program, and community
outreach. She would also establish objectives and help develop policy for the
Animal Services Department as a whole.
Johnson said he had appointed Ashley Morris as Business Operations Manager.
In this role, Ashley would be responsible for department budget, contracts,
accounting, and administrative duties as may be required. She would also work
with all areas to establish objectives and help develop policy for the Animal Services
Department as a whole.
Johnson said he had appointed Tammy Walker as Animal Control Manager/Field
Operations Manager. In this role, Tammy is responsible for ensuring that field
operations are in compliance with local, state, and federal laws pertaining to animal
control. She would also help establish department objectives and help develop
policy decisions.
Johnson said this management team reported directly to him as County
Manager. Johnson recognized the critical roles of senior County staff in providing
administrative liaisons between the Office of County Manager and the Animal
Shelter. Johnson complimented the coordination provided by Cathryn Davis,
County Risk Manager; Suzanne Dale, Deputy County Finance Officer; and Paxton
Arthurs, County Engineer.
Also in attendance and recognized for their responsibilities in the new
Department of Animal Services were Heather Stewart, Animal Adoption
Coordinator, and Jonathan Moody, Law Enforcement Liaison & Animal Control
Officer.
3: Heather Wood, Operations Manager, invited each member of the Advisory
Board to visit the Shelter for a special tour of the facility and improvements. Due
to COVID, she asked that members please call and a quick appointment would be
scheduled.
Heather presented each Board member with a detailed booklet containing
information on organization, finance, ordinances, COVID-19 procedures, animal
statistics, outreach programs, adoption, and volunteer programs. Social media and
Facebook has been enhanced. Heather said that much needed equipment had
been purchased for the Shelter and she felt operations were in better condition.
This new equipment was funded in the existing budget.
An educational video was viewed by the Board as one example of enhanced
outreach and educational programs. Also, Bruce, (a rescued adopted dog) who is
now the Animal Services Department mascot, was introduced to the Board. Bruce
individually met each member during the meeting as he journeyed around the
tables.
4: Jonathan Moody, Animal Control Officer/Local Law Enforcement Liaison,
addressed the Board concerning his role in the new Department. Jonathan said he
would be meeting with all law enforcement agencies while coordinating with the
Sheriff’s Office. Jonathan said he met today with Sheriff Seabolt and Major Watson,
who is over the Patrol Division. Major Watson will be point of contact with the
patrol officers. Jonathan said that because of his background as a Chatham County
deputy and Liberty Police Officer, he felt there would be a stronger relationship
with local law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office seemed pleased with the outreach
and wants to maintain open lines of communication. J.R. Beard said it would be
important to establish good understanding with 911 dispatchers moving forward.
There were several questions from the audience concerning the expanded role of
Animal Control.
Pamela Vuncannon asked the numbers of Animal Control Officers. The County
now has an Animal Control Manager (Tammy Walker) and 4 officers in 4
district/zones of operations.
5: Paxton Arthurs, County Engineer, provided the Board with a power point
update on capital facility improvements planned for the Shelter. This included
space for the Animal Control Officers, improved medical care room, and other
physical improvements being made to the existing buildings. Construction is to
begin by late July 2020.
Pamela Vuncannon asked if additional space for animals was being considered
in the renovations. Arthurs said that the current priority was adding space for
Animal Control Officers and upgrading existing deficiencies in the animal facilities
at the Shelter. Funding for these enhancements had been provided by the Board
of County Commissioners during the current budget and will carry over into the
new budget.
6: Public Comment: Citizens in attendance were given the opportunity to
comment throughout the meeting. No citizens spoke during public comment.
7: Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm.