Levy County to transfer animal control to Sheriff; board approves $650,000 appropriation

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners voted to transfer operational control of the countyanimal-control program to the Levy County SheriffOffice and approved a $650,000 fiscal-year 2026 appropriation for capital outlay, including fencing, cameras and security upgrades.

Sheriff Bobby McCallum addressed the board before the vote, saying his office had reviewed the facility and staff and was prepared to assume custody and operations if the commission directed it to do so. "If this commission decides that they want to transfer animal control to the operation of the sheriff, I am ready," McCallum said, while outlining needs such as separate access, improved fencing, door locks, cameras and vehicles.

The item was presented as a staff-led transition proposal and discussed at length by commissioners and members of the public. Several speakers urged caution and continuity: Victoria Cacalone, who identified herself as the county veterinarian, told commissioners the county had recently made "meaningful strides" in animal-welfare outcomes and said, "We should not go backwards," asking that operational experience be preserved if the sheriffoffice takes over. Williston Mayor Charles Goodman also urged continued emphasis on animal welfare and community partnerships.

County staff and the sheriff discussed how budgets and liabilities would be handled in the transition. The sheriff said his office expects to inherit remaining animal-control budget balances and requested a $650,000 FY2026 capital increase to address immediate security and equipment needs; county staff confirmed there is a remaining fund balance in animal control and that the requested $650,000 is for capital outlay. Commissioners asked for and received commitments to develop an interlocal agreement, an ordinance amending the Levy County code, and a plan for surplus property and employee transition.

Commissioner Desiree Mills moved to approve the transfer, with a second from Commissioner Charlie Kennedy. The motion as read directed staff to prepare an interlocal agreement and ordinance and to increase the FY2026 appropriation to the Sheriff by $650,000, with an anticipated effective date of 05/01/2026. The board voted in favor and the motion passed.

What happens next: staff will draft the interlocal agreement and the code amendment requested by the board; the appropriation will be processed as a FY2026 capital outlay amendment and the board will review the draft interlocal agreement and ordinance in a forthcoming meeting before finalizing the effective date and details of employee and asset transfers.