Charleston County discusses contract negotiations with Charleston Animal Society

CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) — Charleston County Council met Tuesday night to discuss funding for Charleston Animal Society, after the county and Charleston Animal Society’s agreement expired last year.

A special finance committee meeting was called to discuss funding for Charleston Animal Society and the status of contract negotiations. In the meeting, councilmembers indicated if they were to re-enter a contract a contract, they would like to see a heightened level of transparency regarding costs charged to the county.

Since the county terminated their contract with Charleston Animal Society, they have been working with Pet Helpers as part of the county’s animal control unit.

Several council members said they were pleased with the interim contract they had with Pet Helpers, and if they work with Charleston Animal Society in the future they would like invoices to be sent in a similar way.

“The reports we’ve been getting from pet helpers since December have been very transparent very detailed animal by animal what they did how they cared for it what the cost was to the taxpayers and the details Charleston animal society would never get for it,” said Brantley Moody, councilmen for District 7.

Charleston Animal Society says this process was never in the contract drawn up by the county. They say they provided detail when requested by the county.

“Each time they’ve asked us for documentation not required in the contract we have exceeded. I think they’re dealing with an issue they don’t understand. Last year, we took in 10,000 animals we sprayed and neutered over 15,000 more our record keeping is outstanding a number of animals brought in by each municipality we actually correct their paperwork,” said Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society CEO and President.

In the meeting, it was indicted if the county were to re-enter a contract with the animal society any partnerships would be for the cost of animals brought to them by people in unincorporated areas.

Areas such as Charleston, Mount Pleasant and North Charleston would be responsible for their own residents bringing in animals. Councilmembers were receptive to negotiating a contract with the animal society if they feel they have transparency on costs.

“Charleston County is pretty big and pretty spread out so it could be one end could go to them. Charleston county is big where we could use two resources and frankly a little competition is good,” said Moody.

Charleston Animal Society sees a path forward under the new chairman Kylon Middleton.

“We are confident in the new leadership of council so that its fair for all parties and we can move forward with a partnership we can trust,” said Elmore.