The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 3-2 to approve the Interlocal Agreement that will transfer management of Hernando County Animal Services (HCAS) to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Commissioners Steve Champion and Ryan Amsler voted to keep the facility under County control.
Current employees of HCAS will have until December 31st to apply for their positions with HCSO.
The County budget will be amended to transfer the remaining operating budget for HCAS to HCSO. The approved budget is $1,794,630 for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year. However, the County will still fund approved Capital Improvement Projects totaling $419,000. The 2025 projects include expansion of the HCAS building, repair of the service area asphalt and remodeling of the pole barn and stalls at the facility.
Amsler said before the vote, “We knew it was our responsibility, and we’re just going to hand it off. I can’t agree with that, and I think it’s disappointing.”
Champion expressed his concerns about transferring responsibility to HCSO rather than having a board overseeing the operation and financing of the facility. He went on to say, “I’m not trying to insult the Sheriff, but his job is law enforcement. That’s what he was elected for, not animal shelters.”
Dr. Cynda Crawford, who was unable to attend the original presentation on October 22, was present at this meeting to offer her account and answer commissioners’ questions regarding the approval of the Interlocal Agreement that will transfer management of the animal services department to HCSO.
Dr. Crawford said she thought the transfer to HCSO on January 1, 2025 is “rushed.” She expressed her concern about how the transfer could occur in a short time period which includes the Christmas holiday period. She also questions how HCSO, an agency that has no experience with the shelter, will accomplish this in three weeks.
Crawford acknowledges that conditions within the shelter could be improved. She also offered insight into how shelter staff and veterinarians may balk at strict pre-employment testing required by a law enforcement agency. Background checks and drug testing tend to be more stringent than other county departments and could slow down hiring processes.
The morale and culture of an enforcement agency also tend to dissuade veterinarians and other shelter workers. Crawford reported that nationally, the punishment model of “let’s punish pet owners who are not responsible” is changing. “There is a national trend redefining the duties of an animal enforcement officer.”
Chairman John Allocco summarized, “Less ‘dog-catcher,’ and more education.”
James Terry is not in favor of the proposal on the basis that HCAS already has reduced the number of animals in the shelters, as well as the cost of support.
Terry also reported that HCSO provided no supporting documents to substantiate the claim that they can reduce food costs from $40,000 to $8,000 or what the food choices would be. Terry stated that the current cost for HCAS per animal is approximately 30 percent lower than Citrus and Brevard counties.
Terry said HCAS already has partnerships with non-profit organizations and several local veterinarians. They also partner with rescue organizations and other shelters to assist. According to Terry, HCSO expressed the goal of forming partnerships. “I’m quite sure they will build relationships, but those things take time,” Terry said.
Champion commended Terry on his service to HCAS and his service with HCSO for 23 years, ranking as a Major in the department. With all the positive items Terry presented to the board, Champion asked Terry’s perspective on the motivation for HCSO to assume control of the facility.
Terry reported that there was an incident where volunteers were disturbed by the sedation of a dog that was vocalizing loudly while on a “control pole.” According to Terry, the facts of the incident were “twisted” by the time the incident became known throughout social media. “When you repeat it over and over, other people just believe it, then they’re very upset … They’re not trying to join in on a lie; they think they’re being told the truth … It cascaded, and unfortunately, we lost the trust of a former Commissioner, and that was the catalyst that started this whole
thing.”
