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Supervisors discuss animal shelter operations, IGAs and possible task force after staffing changes in Douglas
Summary
Supervisors flagged concerns about recent personnel changes at a Douglas-area shelter, variability in intergovernmental agreements with local shelters, possible task force formation and an expected budget request from the City of Douglas for additional shelter funding.
Supervisors discussed animal shelter operations across Cochise County and possible next steps after recent staffing changes at a Douglas-area facility.
Supervisor Gomez said local residents have asked the county to form a task force on animal-shelter issues after ‘‘Friends’’ (the contracted shelter partner in Douglas) fired a manager named Tammy; ‘‘nobody seems to know why she was fired,’’ Gomez said during the agenda review. She reported that public concern about shelter operations has grown and that Douglas has requested additional funding under the county’s intergovernmental agreement arrangements.
Board members and staff said the county holds intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with Benson, Wilcox and Douglas for shelter space and funding to support animal-control operations run by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. A county staff member said the IGAs are ‘‘very similar’’ but that each shelter operator is responsible for day-to-day operations.
Supervisor Gomez described practical problems residents face: lost pets from remote areas often end up in Douglas and owners may not know where to look. Board members said they would meet with the sheriff’s office to discuss how to handle an emergent funding request from Douglas and whether a work session or task force is warranted.
No formal action was taken during the agenda-review meeting; staff said they will provide more information to the board and coordinate follow-up.
