Reynolds balks at animal shelter raise

The Escambia County (Ala.) Commission passed a resolution Monday asking its legislative delegation to pass a local bill to give the county the authority to pay the sheriff to operate the animal control shelter and pound with Commissioner Karean Reynolds casting the lone no vote.

Under Alabama law, the county is required to operate an animal shelter. The county has reached an agreement to operate and staff the shelter previously occupied by the city of Brewton on Highway 31 near Nordmeyer Automotive.

In the resolution, it states Sheriff Heath Jackson has agreed to be responsible for managing the shelter and supervising the impounding officers and kennel technicians, thus increasing the sheriff’s responsibilities.

With no money amount listed, the resolution passed Monday on a 4-1 vote gives the commission the authority to compensate the sheriff for those extra duties. Commission Chairman Raymond Wiggins and commissioners Steven Dickey, Larry White and Brandon Smith voted yes on the resolution. Reynolds voted no.

The resolution, if passed in Montgomery, will allow the commission to increase the compensation of the sheriff for the performance of animal control management duties and responsibilities.

Reynolds noted the vote was not unanimous and did not support the additional funds to be expended.

“I adamantly oppose the local legislation request to make the animal shelter operation a duty of the Escambia County sheriff,” Reynolds said. “Alabama Code Section 36-22-3 highlights the general duties and responsibilities of a sheriff.”

“In my opinion, animal control is a job that should be based on performance and not politics,” Reynolds added. “The county commission has not announced or advertised this position, so to make this rash decision before pursuing other options would be irresponsible. I believe that the proper handling of animal control would be to hire a qualified director who can manage animal control for our area. The political route to animal control is not in the best interest of this county.”