(A) Purpose. The mission of the County Animal Control Advisory Group is to serve in an advisory capacity to the County Board of Commissioners for the continuing improvements in animal control and the animal shelter by making recommendations to the Board of Commissioners regarding facility needs, equipment needs, operational/procedural issues, and policies of animal control and animal shelter.
(B) Terms. The County Animal Control Advisory Group members shall serve for one year and may be reappointed, and shall serve, at the will and pleasure of the Board of Commissioners.
(C) Membership. The Advisory Group shall consist of, but not be limited to:
(1) One County Board of Commissioner selected by the Board;
(2) One County Council member selected by the Council;
(3) One veterinarian appointed by the Board of Commissioners;
(4) One member who works with an animal rescue group and who is in good standing with the Chief Animal Control Officer, and is appointed by the Board of Commissioners;
(5) One member of the Friends of the Shelter to be recommended by the Friends of the Shelter, and appointed by the Board of Commissioners;
(6) One representative from the County Sheriff’s Department to be selected by the Sheriff;
(7) One citizen appointed by the County Board of Commissioners; and
(8) One Chief Animal Control Officer who shall serve as an ex-official member with no voting authority.
(D) Representatives. Organizations asked to have a representative on this Advisory Group must be a 501(C)(3) Organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, and approved by the County Board of Commissioners.
(E) Authority. The group is advisory only and does not have the authority to implement any recommendation it develops.
(F) Board of Commissioners. The County Board of Commissioners will review and approve any recommended policy changes by the Animal Control Advisory Group prior to its implementation.
(G) Positions. The Animal Control Advisory Group will elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and a secretary to conduct meetings and set up the agenda with the assistance of the staff of the County Animal Control/Shelter Department.
(H) Topics and minutes.
(1) Any Advisory Group member may introduce a topic for the agenda.
(2) Minutes of each meeting shall be kept.
(I) Organizations. Organizations asked to have a representative on the Advisory Group may make a recommendation of such representative to the County Board of Commissioners. The Board will either approve or deny the recommendation.
(J) Meetings. The County Animal Control Advisory Group shall meet at least bi-annually.
(1) Additional meetings may be called by the County Animal Control Advisory Group as deemed necessary.
(2) The date, time, and location of the meetings are to be determined by the County Animal Control Advisory Group.
(K) Open-Door Law. According to I.C. 5-14-1.5-2(a)(5), the County Animal Control Advisory Group is subject to the Open-Door Law.
(L) Repeal. The County Board of Commissioners may repeal the establishment of the Advisory Group at its discretion.
(Res. 14-33, passed 8-26-2014)