Board approves intergovernmental agreement with Hinesville to expand animal-control coverage

The Liberty County Board of Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City of Hinesville to provide enhanced animal-control services covering weekends and after-hours response for a two-year period.

Under the agreement, the city will provide $50,000 to the county. County staff explained the IGA is structured with a six-month review period to assess staffing, space and operational implications; the first year will act as a review window before automatic renewal. Staff noted space concerns for kenneling have been addressed in part by donated kennels; staff will track calls, vehicle needs, and any additional funding requests and notify the city if adjustments are necessary at the six-month check-in.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about what constitutes “domesticated animals” under the service definition; staff said the county will respond to domesticated animals such as cats, dogs and other household animals (the department will not respond to wildlife such as possums). The board moved and seconded approval of the IGA, agreed to the six-month review provision, and asked staff to advertise and recruit for the additional weekend staffing as soon as possible.

Staff said the county provides animal-control services countywide and clarified that the IGA expands weekend coverage for Hinesville and codifies protocols for dangerous animals, injured animals and the like. The contract’s effective date will be determined after recruitment and operational readiness; staff estimated roughly 60–90 days to hire and begin expanded coverage, and the board asked staff to negotiate an implementation date with the city if necessary.