County Court makes small change to animal policy

COLDSPRING — While the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court did not make it a policy, it gave its blessing for the San Jacinto County Animal Shelter to post publicly any animals scheduled to be euthanized.

The move was made during the court’s Wednesday meeting.

Commissioner Crystal Dominy, who oversees operations at the shelter, said the notices would be only for a “reasonable” time and only for animals that were considered adoptable.

She said animals that were picked up after biting incidents would not be included.

Relatedly, the county approved interlocal agreements with the cities of Shepherd and Coldspring regarding animal control. Dominy said both mayors were in favor of the agreements and mentioned chipping in $10,000 each year to help with operation costs.

However, District Attorney Greg Magee said any agreements that included any new policy could not be approved until the county approved the policy.

Fritz said that the agreements as he read them did not, and the commissioners approved them.

The court also approved accepting a donation of $300 from Michael Shelton for the shelter.

In other business, the county:

• approved an amended contract with a legal service for the District Attorney’s Office;
• approved the purchase of laptops for the Sheriff’s Office;
• approved an application for a rural ambulance service grant;
• approved the purchase of water rescue equipment for four deputies at a cost of $1,199 through SB 22 grant funds;
• approved the purchase of Garmin Pro training equipment for the K-9 officers;
• approved the application for a Texas Department of Agriculture grant for senior citizens centers in Precincts 1 and 4, as well as Cleveland;
• declared 17 Dell computers as either salvage or surplus to be sold or destroyed;
• did not extend a burn ban;
• approved seeking quotes for a law firm that specializes in municipalities for development agreements;
• approved use of the Courthouse Square for use for a motorcycle rally;
• approved seeking bids for the annual contracts for materials and services; and
• approved a bond for Precinct 4 Clerk.