Cecil County, MD
 
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Chapter 142: ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
Article II: Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission

§ 142-2 Appointments; terms; compensation; officers; meetings.

A. Each member of the Cecil County government shall appoint one individual from his/her respective district for a total membership of five individuals, who would have no conflict of interest with the Animal Care and Control Authority, to serve as the Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission. The Commission shall, as needed, call upon a veterinarian with a valid veterinary license to consult within his/her expertise.
B. The term of members shall be four years and staggered, except for the initial term when two members, as determined by the Cecil County government, shall serve a two-year term. Appointees can serve no more than two consecutive full terms. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy created by resignation or otherwise shall be appointed only to fulfill the unexpired term of the member who has vacated the position.
C. The members and consulting veterinarians shall not receive remuneration for their services and shall abide by the Cecil County Code of Ethics. Editor's Note: See Ch. 39, Ethics.
D. The Cecil County government shall remove a member of the Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission prior to the expiration of the member's term if the member fails to attend required meetings or his/her conduct is unbecoming or prejudicial to the aims or repute of the Commission and the Cecil County government.
E. Chairperson/President, Vice Chairperson/Vice President, and Recording Secretary shall be designated by members of the Commission for a one-year term and can serve no more than two consecutive full terms.
F. The Commission will conduct mandatory quarterly meetings in addition to other meetings as required. The presence of three members shall constitute a quorum.

§ 142-3 Powers and duties.

A. The Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission shall work with the County's Animal Care and Control Authority to review current County and state animal laws and recommend changes in County animal laws, as well as related fees and fines, to the Cecil County government.
B. The Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission will review the performance of the Animal Care and Control Authority as it relates to adherence of contract terms and report findings to the Cecil County government.
C. The Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission will annually review and make recommendations regarding any changes deemed necessary for either the renewal of the animal care and control contract, or for the issuance of a request for proposal and subsequent award of the animal care and control contract, to the Cecil County government.
D. The Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission will serve as a review board for cases involving public or interagency complaints regarding the Animal Care and Control Authority. It will also hear appeals and make decisions regarding license revocation.
E. Citations, summons or warrants are not reviewable by the Commission.
F. All reviews will result solely in recommendations or referrals to appropriate agencies. The Commission does not enforce laws.
G. All complaints concerning the Animal Care and Control Authority shall first be submitted in writing to the Animal Care and Control Authority, as well as to the Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission. The Animal Care and Control Authority shall notify the Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission, as well as the complainant, in writing, of the outcome of the complaint. In the event a complainant feels his/her complaint was not handled in an appropriate manner by the Animal Care and Control Authority, the complainant shall then appeal to the Animal Care and Control Oversight Commission.
H. Records will be kept of all meeting agendas, proceedings and review sessions and shall include the date, time and location of the session as well as attendees.
I. The County shall retain all records for a minimum of four years.

§ 142-4 Quarterly review of records; report to governing body.

At the quarterly meetings, the Commission will review the quarterly financials and animal care and control statistics that shall be provided by the County's designated Animal Care and Control Authority to the Commission at least seven days prior to the announced quarterly meeting date. The Commission will provide a report to the Cecil County government of these findings, with a detailed accounting of the Animal Care and Control Authority's funding, expenditures and unresolved complaints. Failure on the part of the Animal Care and Control Authority to provide the required documentation shall immediately be reported to the Cecil County government.