A Sangamon County health committee to consider 'top to bottom' review of Animal Control
The Sangamon County Public Health Committee will consider Thursday contracting with a familiar third-party group to do a "top to bottom" review of Animal Control's policies and procedures.
Allegations of misconduct have been raised in recent months by local animal advocacy groups and members of the Springfield City Council.
The committee will specifically consider a review being done by the Stratton, Moran, Reichert, Sronce & Appleton with a price tag not to exceed $24,000. The primary work would be done by Joe Roesch, a labor attorney who formerly served in the Sangamon County sheriff's office as chief deputy and was a captain over investigations.
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The request comes as the county awaits a report from the Illinois State Police regarding criminal negligence and another third-party report from a Chicago consulting firm that looks at the structure of other animal control agencies in counties similar in size to Sangamon County.
County administrator Brian McFadden acknowledged there needs to be a strong review of the policies and procedures which would include employment and labor management matters but could lead into areas like shelter care.
"We clearly believe there are policies that need reviewed," said McFadden, reached Wednesday. "There are issues and allegations that need looked into and other items that need attention and this is the best way to get this done now."
The allegations followed reports of dead cats that were under the care of Animal Control. The cats died from upper respiratory infections, county officials have previously said.
Others, like Jane McBride, president of the Illinois Humane Society in Springfield, have railed against Animal Control's director Gregory Largent and insisted that the office be moved from Public Health to the sheriff's office.
"I've been telling them that for three or four years," McBride said. "The biggest problem is management and leadership and that's what Jack is good at, and I hope to God Joe Roesch knows that and sees that."
McFadden said Roesch would have up to six months to take a look at things that would start with a labor management type of focus.
Following that, McFadden said, would be implementation of any changes or modification of policies and procedures. The last stage would be monitoring any changes, he added.
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"He has the authority to look into things that he thinks are relevant to what the mission (of the office) is," McFadden added. "He's not being sent out there to run the agency, but he's being sent out there to do a very thorough review and look into policies and procedures and some of the allegations made."
Animal Control has 13 employees and one temporary worker with a $1.13 million budget, said Sangamon County spokesman Jeff Wilhite.
McBride said she was frustrated by having another third-party look into Animal Control "especially since the county has been provided information on where to get proper consultation on managing a shelter. It's not a local law firm. It's in these professional organizations. They've been given a slew of resources if they felt they needed to bring in third parties. They have an urgent situation and they're not responding.
"I do think the world of (Joe Roesch) and if he can help with his law enforcement background, excellent. The care of the animals is paramount and it's an immediate concern."
McBride said other shortfalls include sanitation issues, ventilation and how animals are managed once they come into the shelter.
McFadden said he's convinced the shelter "is not the train wreck that some people want to portray it as. We do think there are some policy issues, there are some other things that do need to get some attention. The department has passed several snap inspections (by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Department of Professional Regulation)."
McFadden said there didn't seem to be "a lot of interest on the board's part to move it to the sheriff's office," but he wanted to review a report being done MGT Consulting Group from Chicago. That report is taking a comparative look of how other central Illinois animal shelters are being run and by whom.
Sheriff Jack Campbell said he has talked to McFadden about the oversight issue and contacted Macon County about its setup and what it might entail for his staff.
"My lane is law enforcement for people," Campbell admitted. "It's a more specialized area. It's something I don't feel 100% comfortable with, taking on those additional duties."
Campbell, who has known Roesch for over 25 years, said his experience speaks for itself.
"He's an experienced administrator and investigator, so I think he's going to be able to assist Animal Control in reviewing those policies, assisting them any way necessary," Campbell said.
Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 477 business manager Brad Schaive also said the county bringing in Roesch would be beneficial.
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The local represents nine of Animal Control's employees.
"Our working relationship with that law firm has been impeccable," Schaive said. "Joe Roesch is extremely knowledgeable about labor relations issues. I think it will be good for the taxpayers and good for the unit and good for the employees.
"There's been a list of concerns that has been brought up (by employees) over the last six months. What the county is doing to address it and having that law firm send someone out and evaluate where we're at and how we got there is a great idea."
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sangamon County IL committee to consider review of Animal Control
