W. Burrell Ellis, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

Board of Commissioners
Elaine Boyer, District 1 Jeff Rader, District 2 Larry Johnson, District 3 Sharon Barnes Sutton, District 4 Lee May, District 5 Kathie Gannon, District 6 Stan Watson, District 7

PRESS CONTACTS:
Burke Brennan Chief Communications Officer Phone: 404-371-6305 Cell: 678-201-7209 Angela Walton Communications Manager Phone: 404-371-3688 Cell: 404-964-0357

DEKALB COUNTY
NEWS RELEASE

MARCH 21, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DeKalb CEO, Animal Services Task Force Present Findings to Board of Commissioners
DECATUR DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis and the DeKalb Animal Services Task Force reported its findings and plan of action to address concerns regarding DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement during the Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole meeting. CEO Ellis advised Commissioners that a Request for Proposals to potentially outsource all, or part of, the animal control function is in final review and will be ready to publish in two weeks. CEO Ellis submitted an agenda item to appropriate $133,282 to fund six additional Animal Services Officers. The six officers, in addition to four positions previously authorized, will bring the total to 10 additional officers for these operations. Furthermore, the measure provides for $365,000 to fund HVAC improvements, which will be in addition to $100,000 already approved to correct deficiencies with the current air conditioning system. Commissioners were also notified the Administration identified three potential sites for the development of a new Animal Services facility. Staff is currently developing cost estimates for each site to ensure a decision on the most suitable option can be made in a timely manner. Commissioners were reassured that construction of a new facility would begin within a year, regardless of which location is chosen. In addition, staff is reviewing changes to the County Code of Ordinances to develop recommendations for further improvements. CEO Ellis and the Board of Commissioners expressed gratitude to the citizen members of the Animal Services Task Force, who dedicated several months toward creating the recommendations to improve the facility and operations of the department. (MORE)

Department of Communications, Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 www.dekalbcountyga.gov

Page 2: Animal Services Presentation

Current DeKalb County Animal Services facility; DeKalb County plans to break ground on a new facility within a year.

CEO Burrell Ellis and the Board of Commissioner discuss improvements to Animal Services operation in DeKalb County (MORE)

Department of Communications, Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 www.dekalbcountyga.gov

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Two puppies in quarantine await adoption at the Animal Services facility in DeKalb County ###

Department of Communications, Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030 www.dekalbcountyga.gov