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County approves three part‑time animal shelter cleaning positions, requires monthly census reports and one‑year population plan
Summary
The board approved three 25‑hour union cleaning positions for Animal Care & Control (FY26 cost ~$84,280) and adopted an amendment requiring monthly census updates and a population‑management plan within one year to align shelter population with facility capacity.
Rock Island County approved three new 25‑hour union cleaning positions at Animal Care & Control and added a requirement that the County Administrator provide monthly census updates and that a plan to manage shelter population to the facility’s capacity be presented within one year.
Animal Control Director Samantha Wiley described the shelter census as 474 animals and said staffing shortages and vacations have strained operations. Board Member Kai Swanson, who moved the amendment, said he supported the additional positions but asked that the county require monthly reporting and a 12‑month plan to bring animal counts in line with the shelter’s capacity (he cited comparators including Peoria County). Chairman Richard Brunk and Administrator Jim Grafton indicated the requested reporting was feasible; Ms. Wiley agreed to provide data in a report.
Swanson’s amendment—monthly census reports and a plan presented by the February 2027 board meeting—passed on roll call (17–1). The main motion to add three 25‑hour union positions (cost to the county for FY26 about $84,280.44) then passed on roll call (18–0). Ms. Wiley said the positions would be union to avoid IMRF overage issues and that the numbers may be reduced later by attrition if the census falls.
