Residents press county for animal shelter audit and clearer reporting

Several residents told the Anderson County Commission they want transparency and a timeline for an operational audit of the county animal shelter and clearer public reporting of shelter intake data.

At the public-comment portion, Heather Kaiser of Lake City asked why December and January shelter reports were not attached to the agenda and requested clarification about how livestock intakes are recorded. "Transparency and accurate reporting matter to the community," she told commissioners, asking when those reports will be made available.

Donna Heitmanek said the commission voted in June 2025 to approve an operational audit of the animal shelter and that she has received no response after repeated requests. "This operational audit was not a suggestion. It was a formal vote of this commission," Heitmanek said, urging the mayor’s office to either release the audit if complete, explain delays, or acknowledge that it has not begun.

Commissioners and staff acknowledged the public concerns during the meeting. The mayor had earlier referenced an upcoming animal shelter construction project and the director of finance later noted that construction was expected to begin the following week, but Heitmanek and others stressed that expansion or increased operational costs should be preceded by an audit determining whether the current kennel operation is being managed effectively.

What happens next: The mayor and staff did not provide a date for release of the audit during the meeting. Commissioners who sit on the opioid and other task forces reminded members and the public that certain committees meet soon; residents said they expect the mayor’s office to follow through with a clear status update.