MORGAN COUNTY
County manager Adam Mestres recently responded to some public comments made about animal control’s high euthanasia rates.
He addressed the comments during the Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, discussing how Morgan County Animal Services handles euthanasia cases, as well as services provided at the shelter.
Mestres noted that MCAS does not euthanize any animal for lack of space or amount of time spent in the shelter.
“That’s huge to be able to say and do that,” he acknowledged. “Most of the time, our shelter is not full … the only animals that are euthanized are those deemed dangerous or aggressive, severely ill or injured, and feral.”
Mestres reminded residents that MCAS has a volunteer program in place for community members to help with cleaning, laundry, and other shelter needs.
He said the shelter offers affordable spay/neuter services and microchipping, and participates in events at PetSmart in Oconee County. Information cards were sent to residents’ mailboxes last week by rescue partner Humane Society of Northeast Georgia to highlight some of the shelter’s services.
Mestres also encouraged potential adopters to visit the shelter and look at the county’s available animals.
In other business Dec. 3, the BOC:
• received public comment from Sheriff Robert Markley, who asked the board to include the elected officials in the county retirement plan.
• approved text amendments to the zoo facilities ordinance.
Georgia Safari Conservation Park (GSCP) requested the addition of event facility language to the ordinance after receiving approval from the BOC in November to operate an event facility in the unincorporated portion of the park. The amendment is needed to mirror the ordinance language on the Madison side of the park.
The BOC also amended the existing zoo facilities ordinance to increase the minimum acreage and setbacks to address buffer space and increased residential development pressures. However, GSCP is grandfathered under the new language.
• approved new alcohol licenses for Blue Springs Marina, Sandhu Food Mart, LLC, The River Store, The Pit Stop, Rainbow Food Mart, Madison Country Store, Apalachee Mart, Golden Pond Valero, The General Store, and Fairplay General Store.
• approved the imaging of 24 years of editions of the Morgan County Citizen, the county’s legal organ. Business Systems & Consultants will complete the imaging for $19,000.
• approved FY25 budget amendments, including $328,052 for personnel, $14,750 for the compensation study from last year, and up to $19,000 for the previously mentioned imaging project.
All funds come from the county’s contingency budget.