County Accepting Applicants for Animal Services Commission Proposed by Derry

San Bernardino County is accepting applications to fill the seven-member Animal Services Commission recently proposed by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.

Derry, who represents an area including Redlands and Loma Linda,  proposed an ordinance to establish the commission, and the ordinance passed a second reading July 24. The ordinance goes into effect in August, according to Derry's staff.

The panel will be comprised of one citizen representative from each Supervisorial District, an independent veterinarian representative, and a representative from the Department of Public Health Animal Care & Control Division, Derry's staff said in an announcement.

"All interested parties are encouraged to apply, although each Supervisor's commissioner must reside within their respective Supervisorial District," Derry's staff said. "Once Supervisor Derry nominates a representative from his district, the commissioner must receive support from a majority of the Board before being appointed."

Commissioners will not determine policy for the county. They will be tasked with ensuring county animal care facilities meet or exceed state regulations and make recommendations to the Board, according to Derry's staff.

"This was truly a grass-roots effort initiated by concerned citizens of San Bernardino County and this commission will reinforce the democratic principle of a government that serves the will of the people above all else," Derry said.

To learn more about how to apply visit www.sbcounty.gov/COB/bcc-application or call the San Bernardino County Clerk of the Board at (909) 387-3841.

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