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APPROVED 3/19/2013 <br /> MINUTES <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> WORK SESSION <br /> February 12, 2013 <br /> 7:00 p.m. <br /> The Orange County Board of Commissioners met in a work session on Tuesday, <br /> February 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the Link Government Services Center in Hillsborough, N.C. <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Jacobs and Commissioners Mark Dorosin, <br /> Alice M. Gordon, Earl McKee, Bernadette Pelissier, Renee Price and Penny Rich <br /> COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: <br /> COUNTY ATTORNEYS PRESENT: John Roberts <br /> COUNTY STAFF PRESENT: County Manager Frank Clifton, Assistant County Managers <br /> Michael Talbert, Clarence Grier and Clerk to the Board Donna Baker (All other staff members <br /> will be identified appropriately below) <br /> NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THESE MINUTES ARE IN THE PERMANENT <br /> AGENDA FILE IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE. <br /> 1. Recommendations and Report from Animal Services Advisory Board on Sterilization <br /> and Micro-chipping of Recovered Stray Animals <br /> Animal Services Director Bob Marotto introduced himself, Lyn White, Animal Services <br /> Advisory Board Vice Chair and Susan Elmore, Animal Services Advisory Board Chair. He said <br /> that the work being discussed this evening is an extension of the strategic plan on addressing pet <br /> overpopulation that was brought forward to the Board in early 2010. <br /> He said the overarching goals of that plan are, through a proactive program of spaying <br /> and neutering within the community, to 1) reduce the number of animals that are euthanized due <br /> to lack of homes and 2) reduce the number of animals that come to the county in need of shelter <br /> and care. This will control the costs of animal care and control services in the long run. <br /> He noted that Animal Services will be presenting to the Board on February 19th to <br /> present a request for resolution on Spay Day and to discuss a program of sterilization for pets in <br /> households dependent on public assistance or households who are economically challenged. He <br /> said that there are key components of the recommendations being presented at this meeting that <br /> seek to support those people in their efforts to obtain sterilization for their pets. <br /> He said the proactive approach in their strategic plan is part of a plan to reduce the <br /> number of animals that come into the shelter. He said that in 2000, the number of animals <br /> coming into the shelter was more than 6,000 per year, compared to 3,500 last year. The rate of <br /> reproduction or intake per capita in the county in 2000 was about 47, compared to 27 per <br /> thousand last year. He stressed the need to continue to drive that rate down, given that human <br /> population is continuing to grow. The spay and neuter program has been helpful in achieving <br /> their goal. . <br /> Dr. Lyn White said that the committee was tasked to look at animals that are repeatedly <br /> stray and recovered by an owner. She asked if there is a way to strengthen the legislation <br /> regarding people who repeatedly recover stray pets. She said a task force convened to ask if <br /> there is a way to enhance the recovery process and to limit the number of strays that are <br /> reproducing, thus reducing their euthanasia rate. She said the task force looked at literature <br /> regarding mandatory spaying/neutering of recovered animals in other areas, veterinary <br /> literature, recommendations of animal welfare organizations. After review of this information, <br />