Lack of a law enforcement radio has added to the weekly work hours of Animal Control Officer Lori Thompson, say county commissioners. Commissioners agreed to get Ms. Thompson a radio and increase her hourly pay, discussing these issues during meetings Wednesday, June 23, and Thursday, June 24.

Commissioners questioned overtime of approximately eight hours every two weeks based on a 70-hour pay period Ms. Thompson had recorded, matching them to calls that had come through the 911 call center. Some calls, said Ms. Thompson, come to her on the cellular phone provided by the county. Citing concerns for safety and liability, as well as the need for formal documentation, commissioners said they want all animal control calls to come through 911 emergency dispatch. The center keeps a record of incoming calls. Ms. Thompson agreed to redirect future calls that come directly into her cellular phone to emergency dispatch.

Using an emergency pager and a cellular phone while working on animal calls often caused her to drive miles to find a telephone signal to respond to the emergency dispatch center, Ms. Thompson said. Phone service is limited or nonexistent in the county's rural areas. Commissioner Larry Leveille said he would make sure she got a law enforcement radio to solve the problem.

On Thursday, commissioners agreed to increase Ms. Thompson's pay by 64¢ per hour, from $12.72 an hour to $13.36 an hour because Ms. Thompson had just completed her employment probation period.

Ms. Thompson was hired as the county's animal control officer last December.

To report an animal control concern, call 9-1-1.