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Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board reviews governance, vacancies and complaint handling
Summary
At the March 18 meeting, Chair Allan Polak emphasized ASAB is an advisory board subject to BOCC appointment and removal; members clarified voting thresholds, hearing-panel rules, orientation, mandatory attendance, current vacancies and applicants, and directed that complaints be forwarded to the County Manager.
Chair Allan Polak told the Orange County Animal Services Advisory Board on March 18 that ASAB is an advisory body appointed by the Board of County Commissioners and that the BOCC has authority to remove members. Polak said ASAB policies and procedures govern the board and stressed that ASAB does not make county laws.
Board members clarified procedural rules: votes require a majority of members present (half the members plus one to pass), three ASAB members must serve on hearing panels (with one serving as hearing chair at a time), new members must attend an orientation (details to be clarified), and attendance is mandatory under county bylaws.
The board reviewed membership changes: Dr. Ann Brady is slated to fill Dr. Lee Pickett’s seat in June pending her Board of Health appointment; Michael Delafield and Kim Rider have resigned, leaving two open positions; four applicants (Ellen Pearsall, Patrick Mann, Michelle Handy and Angel Barnes) have applied; Dawn Roberts’ term ends in June, creating another upcoming vacancy. Allan Polak clarified two open seats are designated for Town of Chapel Hill and for an owner/manager of a retail pet store.
Regarding an earlier complaint, Polak said the complaint involving Elizabeth Overcash and Tara May "was not handled properly" and stated that such complaints should be forwarded to the County Manager. The board reiterated attendance expectations and said follow-up on orientation and hearing-panel procedures will be clarified at a future meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2026.
