Commissioners approve kennel reorganization, add veterinarian supervisor and volunteer coordinator after public debate over shelter access

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners voted March 19 to amend the county classification plan and adopt a revised table of organization for the county kennel, adding two new job titles and restructuring several positions.

The board approved adding a veterinarian technician supervisor (class 79915, pay range 16) and a volunteer coordinator (class 79943, pay range 12), reclassifying an existing veterinary technician, converting a vacant deputy dog warden from full time to part time and abolishing two part-time kennel attendants and one part-time kennel receptionist. Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of both personnel items (items 10 and 11).

The changes follow extensive public comment on shelter operations and access earlier in the meeting. A frequent public speaker, identified in the record as Mister Hicks, criticized what he described as wasteful county operations and argued for greater "radical transparency," including asking whether he should be permitted to film inside the shelter. Mister Hicks said, "get rid of that crap" when referring to perceived waste and pushed for broader access and regular reporting on elected officials' weekly accomplishments. Deanna Smith and Jen Mazuckeli, other members of the public, also spoke about shelter staffing, operations and community impacts.

The county clarified its volunteer and media-access rules during the meeting. County staff said the volunteer policy allows filming in public areas of the shelter, including outside and in visitor play areas when people are present. The shelter's back areas that house animals involved in cases and areas where inmate workers operate are restricted from filming. Commissioners and staff noted that some media or independent journalists often request access and that access for those who are not part of the volunteer program is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Commissioner David L. Painter presided over the votes. When the personnel changes were presented, the board moved and seconded the motions and recorded affirmative roll-call votes from Commissioners Bonnie Bachelor, Claire Corcoran and Painter.

The personnel actions were presented as: amend appendix 4.09 of the personnel policy to add the two job titles (item 10) and adopt the revised kennel table of organization to effect the reclassifications and staffing changes (item 11). The agenda materials included class numbers and pay ranges and listed the specific positions to be abolished or converted.

Board and staff members acknowledged the prior turnover and recruitment challenges at the shelter during public comments. A public speaker noted several former shelter staff by name and urged better staffing and use of available funds. County officials said budget and hiring decisions follow standard county procurement and human resources rules.

The board did not change the volunteer policy on the spot; instead commissioners and staff reiterated the existing filming and volunteer rules and said they would continue to enforce the current policy. No additional directive to staff to change policy was recorded.

The votes on items 10 and 11 were part of the meeting's nonconsent agenda and were recorded as formal motions with roll-call votes.

Details: - Motion (item 10): Amend appendix 4.09 to add veterinarian technician supervisor (class 79915, pay range 16) and volunteer coordinator (class 79943, pay range 12). Mover/second on the record; vote: Bachelor Yes; Corcoran Yes; Painter Yes. Outcome: approved. - Motion (item 11): Revise kennel table of organization (convert vacant deputy dog warden to part time; abolish 2 PT kennel attendants and 1 PT kennel receptionist; reclassify veterinary technician to veterinary technician supervisor; add volunteer coordinator). Mover/second on the record; vote: Bachelor Yes; Corcoran Yes; Painter Yes. Outcome: approved.

The board did not take any separate action on filming access or on the specific personnel decisions raised in public comment beyond approving the classification and organizational changes.

Public-contact information and additional shelter details, including the volunteer policy, remain available through county staff and the county website.