LMAS reports $200,000 surplus for 2025; board approves animal advisory changes and shelter manager appointment

At the March 12 Mackinac County Board of Commissioners meeting, LMAS Director Nick Derusha presented the 2025 annual report, saying new programs added last year were successful and that annual revenue exceeded annual costs by approximately $200,000.

Derusha noted program additions but the transcript does not provide detail on which new programs produced the surplus. The board received a resignation letter from Animal Advisory Committee member Samantha Thompson and an application from Katie Jones to join the committee. The Animal Advisory Committee recommended promoting the interim shelter manager to permanent shelter manager.

Commissioner Austin Kimberling moved to accept Thompson’s resignation, appoint Katie Jones and move the interim shelter manager to permanent shelter manager; Commissioner Judy St. Louis-Scott seconded and the motion passed with Kimberling, Kling, Schroeder and St. Louis-Scott voting yes; Commissioner Mike Patrick absent.

The transcript references letters and the committee recommendation as attached in the meeting packet but does not include the text of those documents in the public record. The board did not discuss detailed operational changes or salary information for the shelter manager within the transcript; further administrative follow-up would be expected by LMAS and county HR.