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members at the point in APS history where members were poised to use them. She <br />wants this County to have the best animal shelter possible. She said that she is <br />ashamed to live in a community where certain members of the APS leadership engage <br />in slight of hand and deceit with their trusting, well-intentioned, and donating members. <br />She noted that the last APS Board meeting lasted 14 minutes, with a quick retreat into <br />executive session to avoid pertinent questions from the appearing public. She said that <br />the current leadership was slowly ruining this organization and betraying the members. <br />Chair Brown asked for a copy of her statement. <br />Elliot Cramer said that HSUS did a good job for the County. He said that the <br />many problems HSUS noted at the shelter have nothing to do with money and have little <br />to do with the physical facility. He made reference to the letter he wrote to Kate Pullen <br />from HSUS about the principal faults of the current management. He said that he has <br />not had time to produce a detailed budget as requested by Dr. Klein {Board of Health}, <br />but he shall da so within seven days and in consultation with knowledgeable animal care <br />professionals in the area. He said that the budget provided in the interim report grossly <br />inflates the cost to the County. He said that the Piedmont Animal Welfare Society <br />pledges to solicit volunteers and contributions, believing that a well run County shelter <br />will easily obtain public support. He hopes that APS can continue as an organization, <br />supplementing the services of the County run shelter with a low cost spay/neuter <br />program, animal fostering, and the dog park and dog training operation. He wishes the <br />people could be out of the shelter tomorrow. <br />Bonnie Norwood said that she appreciates the HSUS report. She believes that <br />the report and the public outcry shows that there are a lot of problems. She is opposed <br />to the extension of the contract. <br />Commissioner Jacobs asked John Link about not extending the contract and who <br />would operate the shelter. John Link said that it would take 4-5 months for the County to <br />assume operation of the animal shelter. This is based on the experience of the <br />assumption of solid waste operations from Chapel Hill to the County and the emergency <br />response for transportation from the rescue squads. He said that the budget is based on <br />full operation of the animal shelter and is on the high end. He said that the $744,444 <br />could be reduced, but there is no guarantee. He said that it will take as many staff if not <br />more staff to operate the shelter than are there now. <br />Commissioner Halkiotis said that he thinks that when we took over solid waste <br />operation, there was a lot of lead time before they got into it. The Board has not even <br />discussed where the shelter will fit in with County government. He thinks that the <br />biggest mistake would be to take this and make it bureaucratic. He thinks a month to <br />month renewal is fine. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he understands what his colleagues have said but <br />he just wanted to save time for them and recognize that it will take months to make a <br />decision about this. <br />Chair Brown clarified that this will be month to month and will not came back to <br />the Board unless they want it to. <br />The Board will have time to ask questions on September 1 fit" at the staff analysis <br />of the HSUS report, the public hearing on September 18t", and work sessions on <br />October 21 st or November 5t". <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner <br />Gordon to authorize continuation of the current contract with the Animal Protection <br />Society (APS) for operation of the Orange County Animal Shelter until such time as the <br />Board of County Commissioners elects otherwise, acknowledging that this action shall <br />