Spencer County Fiscal Court hires James Houchens as full-time animal control director, 4–2

Spencer County Fiscal Court voted 4–2 on April 20 to hire James Houchens as the county's full-time animal control director at $15.85 per hour, effective immediately.

Esq. Travis, who moved for the hire, said he and the judge reviewed roughly eight applications and that "James was doing a good job, he wanted the position, and that he didn't feel that there was anyone who was more qualified than James." The motion was seconded by Esq. Brewer and passed with Judge John Riley, Esq. Travis, Esq. Brewer and Esq. Beaverson voting yes; Esq. M. Moody and Esq. J. Moody voted no.

Opponents argued at the meeting that qualified county employees had offered to serve without pay. "Why pay someone to do a job someone else offered to do for free?" asked Esq. M. Moody, who voted against the hire. The judge said he had concerns about assigning the duties to the Jailer as a second full-time role and noted potential wage-and-hour and supervision issues.

The court's action establishes the advertised hourly rate and confirms the county's decision to fund a dedicated, paid animal control position rather than rely solely on volunteer service. The court did not set any additional conditions or probationary period in the motion as recorded.

The hire will be reflected in payroll once the Judge's office transmits the personnel paperwork and the county updates its staffing roster.