During a recent county board meeting, several key topics were discussed, including employee service awards and public concerns regarding animal welfare.

The meeting began with the recognition of employees for their years of service. Notable awards were presented to Kathy Higgins for five years in the sheriff's office, Serena Frost for ten years in treatment court, and Colleen McConaughey for 15 years in circuit court. Additional awards for August included Andres Bonilla and Jessica Morgane for five years, Marilyn Strongberg for ten years, and Chip Criswell and Katherine Montaigne for 20 years in their respective roles.

The board also introduced Tim Newberg, the newly appointed HR manager, who brings extensive experience from both public and private sectors. Newberg's qualifications include a BA in ethics and a master's degree in human resources management. The board expressed enthusiasm for establishing a dedicated HR function within the county.

Public comments were invited, and Steve Hindi, president of an animal protection organization, raised concerns about a controversial activity known as steer tailing. He described it as a harsh rodeo event that has caused injuries to animals and raised safety issues for attendees. Hindi urged the board to take action to prevent similar incidents in their county, referencing troubling events in neighboring counties, including violence and animal abuse. He offered to provide video evidence of the activities and sought guidance on how to address the issue with local law enforcement.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from board members to follow up on Hindi's concerns and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect both animals and community safety.