Commissioner outlines revamped, self-sustaining spay & neuter program; council asks for formal presentation

County Commissioner Nelson Stepro briefed the Harrison County Council on a revamped spay & neuter program intended to be self-sustaining, covering veterinarian costs and startup materials through program fees. He said the new facility will also serve as a holding area to relieve space constraints at the existing animal-control facility.

"The program will be self-sustaining, with fees covering veterinarian costs and startup materials," Commissioner Nelson Stepro said. He characterized the new program as designed to handle more animals than the previous voucher program, which he said had limited effectiveness.

Councilwoman Jennie Capelle said she would like a formal presentation with more concrete information about operations, costs and capacity. At Monday’s meeting the council later approved a transfer moving $15,365 and $635 from the spay & neuter program and printing & marketing into Other Supplies for Animal Control to support near-term needs.

Why it matters: A redesigned spay & neuter program and a new holding facility could change how the county manages animal control caseloads and costs, and could affect animal shelters and related nonprofit partners. Council requests for more detail indicate the program has outstanding operational questions to be answered before larger commitments are made.

What’s next: County staff were asked to provide a formal presentation with detailed cost and operational information at a future council meeting; animal-control supplies were funded by council-approved transfers on Nov. 24, 2025.