The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to modify its classification and compensation plan to prepare for a planned transfer of field animal‑control operations from Lifeline Animal Project to county law enforcement.

County staff described the change as a structural shift that will leave civilian field service officers in place but move their supervision and dispatching to the Fulton County Police Department. A county manager presentation said the intent is to improve dispatch and evidence handling and to create a clearer career path for field staff who may wish to enter county police service.

Commissioner Arrington asked whether the change would reduce Lifeline's contract and was told by county management that the amount to be removed from Lifeline's contract was still under negotiation and would likely be in the $1.8 million to $2.4 million range.

Public commenters spent more than one public‑comment block calling for scrutiny of the Lifeline contract and alleging mishandling of animals. David Scott Evans and other speakers said Lifeline staff euthanized dogs before DNA tests were completed and that a neighbor's small dogs were taken from a fenced yard or a truck and killed. One speaker said officers tased a dog and that animals were seized without a warrant.

A lengthy public comment thread included allegations that county commissioners had ignored whistleblowers and complaints about Lifeline's performance for years. Speakers asked the board to investigate contracting and fundraising arrangements and to consider rescinding Lifeline's contract if violations are proven.

Why it matters: The change shifts operational control of field services into a county government entity and could alter the Lifeline contract; it follows a recent high‑profile animal‑seizure case that prompted community outcry. County staff said the move is intended to address evidence handling and performance issues raised by the public.

Ending: County staff said negotiations with Lifeline are ongoing and that a revised contract and performance metrics for the Lifeline‑run shelter would be returned to the board later in the year. The classification modification creating positions to manage the field service transfer passed unanimously.