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Fayette County Council approves two part-time hires for animal shelter amid public concerns about conditions
Summary
After public testimony about poor conditions and a missed grant opportunity, the Fayette County Council rescinded a prior action and approved two part-time positions for the county animal shelter, citing staffing, coverage needs and a projected cost saving versus a single full-time hire.
The Fayette County Council voted to add two part-time positions to the animal shelter staff after council members and members of the public raised concerns about facility conditions and missed grant opportunities. The motion to allow two part-time hires passed by roll call after debate about cost, coverage and previous procedural questions.
The councilrescinded an earlier action so the matter could be reconsidered by a full membership, then voted to allow two part-time positions to provide more hours and weekend coverage. Animal shelter director Dave Rickman, who said he had intended only to ask permission to explore full-time or multiple part-time options, told the council he has applicants and needs the flexibility two part-time roles would provide.
"I would like to see if we can get a full time or or 2 part times," Rickman said, describing operational demands and weekend coverage needs. He apologized for earlier unclear wording and asked the council to authorize reopening the position so he could pursue applicants.
Public commenters told the council the shelterconditions required more than interim fixes. Karen Whitecotton, who had followed up on a nearly $20,000 donation from the local Humane Society, said only one construction quote was submitted and it exceeded $200,000, preventing a viable grant application. "The concrete is so old and porous that the stench ... it's very bad," she said, urging the council to create a construction line item for the donated funds and pursue additional quotes and grants.
Council members debated whether to hire a single full-time employee (worst-case cost with benefits estimated at $70,149.13) or two part-timers (estimated $45,140), with several members saying two part-time positions would achieve needed coverage while saving money in benefits. One council member framed the hire as a public-safety concern: "If you have wild animals, you need to make sure they're taken care of," the member said.
Council member Wade Lee moved to allow the two part-time positions; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call. The council also agreed to seek quotes for repairs and encouraged collaboration with commissioners and the city to pursue grants. Council members and residents said they wanted the donated Humane Society funds to be preserved for construction or remodeling, and the council agreed to place the issue on a future agenda to consider a construction fund and formal grant-seeking steps.
The councilaction is an operational decision to increase staffing capacity; no formal construction project was approved at the meeting. The council adjourned after brief additional public comment from a resident who urged hiring a full-time position alongside the director and encouraged community fundraising to fill any remaining needs.
