The Corinne T. Smith Animal Center Board of Directors sent the following to BrownwoodNews.com Wednesday afternoon regarding Thursday’s board meeting:

Dear Residents of Brown County,

               After careful consideration, the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center Board has decided to hold their meeting on May 27, 2021 as an OPEN MEETING. This Board has always been dedicated to operating in a transparent manner in an effort to garner public trust and involvement. The Shelter is not required to hold open meetings but has chosen to do so.

The Board has set aside a designated time to conduct business, however, the environment of our past meetings has made it impossible to make critical decisions needed to maintain the efficiency and productivity of the Shelter. It is important that we make the best use of our time. This concern led us to consider closed meetings.

We have also heard the public outcry for these meetings to continue to be held in an open manner.  We have listened to each concern and decided to hold an open meeting this month with the following restrictions:

1.      There will be no time for public comment  from the audience. 

2.      There will be no time for questions from the audience.

3.      There will be no disruption of the Board’s Agenda or dialogue between board members

If any member of the audience is unable to abide by these rules, they will be asked to leave or be escorted out. If the audience as a whole is unable to abide by these rules, then we will be forced to consider closing all meetings in the future.

The Shelter and the Board is currently under construction as we consider restructuring our operations in an effort to keep the Shelter functioning in a way that fulfills the Mission Statement before us. We have undertaken this task because it is our desire to see the Shelter succeed and prosper. Additionally, we have heard public concerns regarding operations at the Shelter. We take those concerns seriously and are working to make improvements.

We ask that you please be patient with us while we work through this process. If you have comments regarding the items that are on the Agenda, we encourage you to respectfully reach out to our Board members prior to the meeting. Concerns and viewpoints will be heard and considered. Any topic not listed on the Agenda will be tabled and revisited in the future.

Very Sincerely Yours,

John Morris, as President of and on behalf of the Board of Directors of CTSAC on May 26, 2021