YERINGTON - Following up on their decision to reorganize animal control procedures, Lyon County commissioners on Thursday will hold a public hearing on an ordinance designed to create a new Animal Services Department.
In hopes of getting better control of the problem, in May commissioners voted 3-2 to remove management of stray and abandoned animals from under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department and make animal control a separate entity as of July 1.
The county is currently advertising for a full time Animal Control Supervisor at a salary of $23,649.60 to $25,875.20. According to the May decision, the department head will fill a vacant animal control position, with the difference in salary between the two positions being paid for out of this year's county budget contingency fund.
At the time of the decision, Commissioners LeRoy Goodman and David Fulstone opposed the creation of a separate department and asked for more time to analyze the issue. Commissioners Chet Hillyard, Bob Milz and Phyllis Hunewill voted in favor of the move.
Hillyard said he did not want the long debated issue postponed or swept under the rug again.
"It should be its own entity. Continuing to procrastinate will be costly. We need to take positive action now."
The public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m.
Other agenda items include:
- Discussion and possible action on adoption of the Debt Management Commission notice and reimbursement resolution for the intent to bond for Lyon County Utilities wastewater and water projects.
- Discussion and possible action on presentation by Sweetwater Ranch, Inc. regarding conservation acquisition.
If you go
What: Lyon County Commission
Where: County Administrative Complex, 27 S. Main Street, Yerington
When: 9 a.m. Thursday
For information: Call 577-5037 (Dayton/Silver Springs) or 463-6531
