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Council votes to create standalone Department of Animal Services, director position set at E6
Summary
The council passed an ordinance creating a Department of Animal Services separated from the Police Department; administration clarified the director pay grade (E6) and said no substantive policy changes to animal control law were made by the ordinance.
The Anne Arundel County Council on Monday passed Bill 2,525, which establishes a standalone Department of Animal Services within the executive branch and separates animal care and control operations from the police department.
Administration representatives told the council the ordinance does not change the county’s substantive animal control laws but elevates the unit to a cabinet‑level department. Officials said the move follows a review of organizational structure and peer jurisdictions and is intended to improve operational focus for animal care and control.
Why it matters: Moving animal care and control out of the Police Department creates a department head position with cabinet level access, which administration officials said should allow faster operational decisions and a clearer line of accountability for animal services matters.
Ethan Hunt, speaking for the administration, said the proposal stems from a review that found animal care and control’s mission is often overshadowed in a large police organization. The administration emphasized the change is organizational rather than a rewrite of animal control policy.
Council members asked for clarification about the new director’s personnel grade after staff materials contained an error. The administration corrected the fiscal note on the record: the director position is grade E6, as reflected in the county’s personnel documents and budget book.
The council voted to adopt the ordinance as amended; the recorded roll call showed the bill passed unanimously.
Ending: Council members and administration said they expect to return later with any separate policy changes to animal control laws; for now the ordinance is limited to creating the new department and its administrative structure.
