County To Consult Auditor on Animal Shelter Issues
By Karen Gould

Mackinac County commissioners have put the brakes on any decisions regarding the county animal shelter until they can meet with their auditor, who believes contracts with volunteers there need to address issues of liability and animal adoption fees.

At a commission meeting Thursday, January 25, County Clerk Mary Kay Tamlyn relayed the concerns of auditor Ken Talsma, expressed during initial discussions she has had with him. Mr. Talsma, of Anderson Tackman and Company PLC of Kincheloe, advised her that the county needs a contract with any nonprofit group assisting at the shelter, including Mackinac Animal Aid Association

MAAA), which raises money for spaying and neutering and finds homes for shelter animals. A contract, Mrs. Tamlyn said, would clarify responsibilities at the animal shelter.

Commissioners were given the same advice by attorney Bonnie Toskey of Lansing, but negotiations with MAAA were tabled before a contract was signed.

Animal shelter operations drew the attention of commissioners last fall when shelter manager Ginger Valentine asked for an additional $3,000 to cover two part-time people she pays to help her at the shelter. Mrs. Valentine is paid $8.78 per hour for a 40-hour week as an independent contractor.

The auditor, according to Mrs. Tamlyn, suggested the county pay Mrs. Valentine an additional $3,000 and let her pay the helpers, making her solely liable for employment matters, or the county could contract directly with the two part-time workers, as independent contractors.

Commissioners have also been concerned over collection of animal adoption fees. They believed the county has been collecting such fees, but MAAA has been using them to help fund its neutering program.

No agreement exists with MAAA that allows it to collect the fees, but a contract with the organization could rectify this situation, Mr. Talsma told Mrs. Tamlyn.

Mr. Talsma is expected to begin the county audit in two weeks. Commissioners asked Mrs. Tamlyn to set up a meeting with him to discuss what is required regarding animal shelter operations.

The next County Commission meeting is Thursday, February 8, at 3:30 p.m. in the Courthouse annex.