DeKalb County Council amends salary ordinance to reclassify part-time animal control officer, approves $23.49 pay rate

DeKalb County Council members voted to amend the county salary ordinance and reclassify a part-time animal control officer to a higher pay classification, approving pay of $23.49 per hour.

The reclassification passed on voice vote after the council amended the proposed salary ordinance to move the position from a civilian part-time classification (noted in the record as “Civilian Pol B”) into the COMAT A part-time classification. The amendment was offered, moved and seconded, carried by voice vote, then the ordinance was approved on first reading, the council suspended the rules and approved second and third readings in the same meeting. The final vote on adoption was recorded as 6–1.

The council discussion centered on why the employee had initially been placed in the lower classification and whether the county’s pay ordinance provides adequate job descriptions or definitions for part-time subcategories. Sheriff Brady explained the position’s duties and background when council members raised questions about the proper classification. He said the county’s part-time budget contains several subcategories (academy-trained officer, jail officer, non-officer and “qualified professional”), but that many of the subcategory titles do not have written job descriptions in the salary ordinance.

The sheriff described the employee’s credentials in support of the reclassification: she holds a bachelor’s degree in veterinary technology, is a registered veterinary technician, worked seven years as a full-time animal control officer for the Fort Wayne City Police Department, is licensed to administer euthanasia drugs when necessary and serves as a special deputy able to investigate and file animal-cruelty charges. The sheriff said those qualifications were the reason the employee had been placed in the “qualified professional” part-time line originally and that the current hourly rate aligns with the COMAT A pay line.

Council members asked how the position operates. The sheriff said the role is a hybrid, “mostly on call,” but that the officer also handles follow-up investigations and assists municipal police departments (for example, Garrett and Auburn) at their request. He said the position is covering some animal investigations and cases the humane shelter does not handle, such as large‑animal or cruelty investigations, and that the sheriff’s office may ask cities to contribute toward the position in the future if the role expands to full‑time.

Some council members cautioned against using the vote as a one‑off “fix” without updating job descriptions and the ordinance, arguing that elevating pay for a single hire without a written job description could create precedent problems for future hires. Others said the county is already paying the current rate and it was appropriate to align the classification with the duties and credentials presented.

The formal action recorded in the meeting minutes and taken by the council was to amend and adopt the ordinance reclassifying the part‑time animal control officer position to the COMAT A part‑time classification at $23.49 per hour.

Council outcome and next steps: the council approved the amended ordinance on the floor (motion carried 6–1), directed that the county and HR follow up to correct any underlying classification or job‑description issues going forward, and noted staff will update procedures so similar placement errors are less likely in the future.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance (salary amendment for part‑time animal control officer) — motion to amend classification carried; final adoption approved by voice vote, tally recorded as 6 in favor, 1 opposed.