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Waxahachie names Kinsey Reddington director of animal services; council approves $14,500 study share
Summary
The Waxahachie City Council introduced Kinsey Reddington as the new director of animal services and approved a $14,500 supplemental appropriation for half of a county-coordinated animal-shelter feasibility study to be conducted by Quorum Architects.
Kinsey Reddington, the city’s new director of animal services, was introduced at the Waxahachie City Council meeting on Jan. 12 and told council she started Dec. 8 and is "super excited to be here." Dustin Dill, the city’s Senior Director of Administrative Services, told the council Reddington brings about 20 years of animal-services experience, including shelter operations, community outreach and volunteer programs.
The council also approved a supplemental appropriation of $14,500 from the general fund to pay the city’s share—described in the motion as 50%—of an updated feasibility study by Quorum Architects that will evaluate long‑term operational and facility needs, programing, population projections and whether a regional or shared facility model is viable. Dustin Dill said the study is a planning and information-gathering step only and that no decisions on locations, partners or construction would be made at this meeting.
In public comment, Sheila Hood, of 3841 Blackchamp Road and a member of the Pet Coalition of Ellis County, thanked the council for recent work on animal control and offered the coalition’s partnership. Hood told the council the coalition has distributed 45,000 pounds of pet food (about 22.5 tons), provided 721 vaccines, placed 47 microchips, funded more than 50 spay/neuter surgeries and helped 105 community pets with rescue, placement and critical veterinary care. "We committed to you guys upfront that we would partner with you," she said.
Matt Craig, who said he serves on the Pet Coalition board, urged the city to coordinate the needs assessment with Ellis County and other local stakeholders so the results can guide regional planning. Council discussion noted the city has previously considered other facility options and that up‑to‑date data are needed to plan capacity and spay/neuter strategies, including whether mobile or shared services make sense.
The motion to approve the appropriation passed with a council vote recorded as "motion carries." The council directed staff to proceed with the Quorum scope as a fact‑finding step and to return recommendations after the study is complete.
What happens next: Quorum Architects will perform the study in coordination with Ellis County; the council said it expects the results to inform whether the city pursues a standalone facility, a regional/shared model or expanded spay/neuter clinics.
