Group to “rescue” Marion County Animal Shelter

Paws to the Rescue will take over the Marion County Animal Shelter beginning Oct. 1, following the unanimous County Council vote to approve a proposal from the group led by Jennifer Nall. “I’m so excited I don’t know what to say,” an obviously happy Nall said after the meeting. “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but we’re very excited.”

The move by council ends months of wrangling between groups and individuals regarding proper care of animals at the shelter. Council asked for proposals from community groups regarding the running of the shelter and Paws to the Rescue was the lone group to respond to that request. The group rescues animals from area shelters, keeping them from being euthanized and getting them into foster and adoptive care. Until their proposal was approved, the group did not work from a facility, but out of several foster homes across the state.

Paws to the Rescue is found online at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC204.html.

The measure allows the county to continue its animal control services to county residents, but allows the shelter to run the facility.  The group has been based out of Surfside Beach. Council members discussed the proposal during a Aug. 26 committee meeting, at which time Nall told the committee that the group has been saving animals from the Marion County Animal Shelter for over two years, saving more than 550 animals.

County Administrator Tim Harper told Council that the shelter’s costs run to more than $53,000 per year, with $2,500 per year each being assessed to the Cities of Marion and Mullins. His recommendation to council was to award the contract to Paws to the Rescue. The group will be responsibility for manning and operating the shelter and its animals and will receive $4,400 per month from the county. The county will continue to be responsible for liability and insurance of the facility and its utilities. The group will provide for worker’s compensation.

In other business, Council tabled second reading of an ordinance appointing or reappointing members to various boards and commissions. Council members were presented with a list of nominees that will be up for a vote during the September meeting. County Attorney Charles L. “Chuck” McLain III said he would look over the ordinances in the meantime to clear up confusion. He said he thinks it would be sufficient to appointment members without an ordinance, and with a simple vote.

Chairman John Q. Atkinson was authorized by council to fill a board vacancy with the Northeastern Strategic Alliance.

Council introduced first reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of the old Marion County Jail and ordinance amendments to the Marion County Zoning Ordinance fee schedule.

Council members were told during a committee report that Dan Mace, with Moseley Architect, presented the structure of the new Family Court building. Moseley gave an estimated cost of the project totaling $5.8 million and said that DHEC has given the approval to move forward with construction. Plan Benefit Services CEO Morgan Armstrong and benefits specialist Larry Plyler spoke with council members regarding the Government Accounting Standards Bill (GASB-45) requirement regarding post-employment benefits. In his overview, Plyler explained that it will be a big undertaking for the county. Armstrong discussed the liability of retirement and medical benefits and said benefits funding is becoming too expensive.

“It’s sucking cash out of the city’s accounts,” he said, adding that the options to fund or not to fund premiums can have an impact on financial credit. He anticipated around $500,000 of additional expenses per year if the county decided to pay the fund. Armstrong recommended the county get an actuary evaluation and said his consulting firm works with companies to help take steps to mitigate such costs.