McLean County approves animal-control FTE after village presidents cite rural service gaps

On June 4 the McLean County Finance Committee approved a resolution to amend funded full‑time equivalent positions in the Animal Control budget (Fund 1, Department 32), a measure intended to increase field coverage and ease staff burden at the county shelter.

The committee voted 3‑1 to add the position after public comment from Rhonda Behr, village president of Carlock, and Kathleen Weber, village president of Cooksville, who said their communities lack local animal-control services and have experienced recent dangerous‑dog incidents. Behr said, "we've had 2 incidents in the last 2 weeks with dangerous dog attacks," and asked the county to "reassess what the needs are for the full county" and consider consistent intergovernmental agreements with fair pricing.

Director Marshall Thompson, who presented the staffing request, said the new position "is really important and will help with a lot of supporting of the day to day operations and improving staff coverage on some of the call and, demands that we're seeing in peak types of calls." Thompson said an additional staffer would allow the department to send a field responder on intergovernmental calls while other staff remain on shelter duties, and would reduce reliance on management as an emergency back‑up.

Thompson also emphasized that intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) are required to establish the department's authority to act in other jurisdictions and to carry out animal removal, statutory holding and final disposition. She said she plans to meet with village officials to assess local needs and bring recommendations to administration during the budget and needs‑assessment process.

Committee members asked whether the salary for the new position is covered in the current budget. Administration indicated the position was not in last year's budget and asked whether the committee was comfortable proceeding; committee members debated the balance between added service and fiscal restraint before the vote. The motion to place the resolution on the floor was made by Member Fagan and seconded by Member Clouse; the motion carried with three ayes and one nay.

Thompson also presented the department's monthly report and said the new shelter remains on track for an opening later this summer. Public commenters said they appreciate efforts to plan for the new facility but want clarity and reliable field response for rural villages that do not have police forces or local animal-control staff.