Iroquois County health committee reviews animal control transition, public-health program updates and staffing

Iroquois County health committee members on June 3 heard an animal-control transition update and routine public-health program reports, discussed staffing and budget planning, and approved claims before adjourning.

The meeting introduced Angela Furry as the county's new animal control director; she “began her duties May 19,” the committee announced. Jill, the current animal-control staff member, said she will continue in the role through the end of the fiscal year to assist Furry and train her on reporting requirements to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “She's already met with Joel Ackerman, who is the Illinois Department of Ag representative,” Jill said.

Furry and Jill presented recent animal-control activity and shelter inventory. Jill reported a total deposit of $4,464 for the period and summarized incident counts: 30–31 cases, 14 running-loose calls, three well checks, two injured animals, four aggressive incidents, one dog-on-dog incident, one lost dog, one found dog, three relinquishment inquiries, one case referred to bite/animal-control investigation and one referred to the Department of Natural Resources. She said 14 dogs and two cats were currently associated with the facility; 10 animals were being moved this week to other placements or care.

Committee discussion included recruitment of local veterinarians to support county animal-control services. Committee members reported outreach to at least one veterinarian (Doctor Roberts) who expressed nervousness about performing euthanasia for healthy animals; members noted that if euthanasia were required and a veterinarian was uncomfortable performing it, the committee would need to identify alternatives. The committee chair said they planned a follow-up meeting with Paul (staff) and the veterinarian to discuss scope and expectations.

On public-health programs, environmental-health staff member Robin summarized routine seasonal work: 15 temporary-permit inspections tied to fairs and summer events, six private-sewage inspections related to new systems and real-estate transfers, and six mosquito-trap samples for West Nile surveillance. Robin reported one trap was vandalized at Cheban's Park and said the county is not collecting birds for West Nile surveillance this year because the state is not accepting them amid avian influenza concerns.

Community-health updates included higher immunization numbers tied to school physical clinics and CNA training programs; staff distributed seven radon kits and held educational and screening events. Robin said tuberculosis skin testing volume was elevated because CNA students receive tests through the department. The department reported one Legionella case that occurred at OSF in Peoria; staff said the state investigated and “we haven't found any traces of it in the water systems.”

Senior-services staff changes were announced: Danielle Wells is stepping down from her senior-services role and a new hire, listed in the meeting as Meaning Anthony, is scheduled to start the second week of June; Wells will remain in a different reception role. Committee members were reminded that departmental budget hearings begin in June and that county budget packets are available from Joe (staff).

The committee handled routine business: members moved to approve the meeting agenda by voice vote; later they moved to approve departmental claims and conducted a roll-call vote, recorded as unanimous in favor. After briefclosing remarks, the committee moved and seconded to adjourn.

The committee scheduled a post–county-board budget meeting among health department staff and emphasized that staff should notify the chair by text about any significant animal-control incidents before they appear on social media.