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J HIHS should develop a system for routinely collecting relevant information on <br />employee grievances and disciplinary actions. <br />U The agency should institute (within its own organization) an annual awards program <br />to recognize outstanding performance and contributions. <br />0 HIHS should introduce an employee idea program (with possible financial <br />incentives) to encourage new and innovative concepts in improving service delivery. <br />Community/interagency Relations <br />HIHS attempts to promote itself as a positive influence within the community. A lack of <br />dedicated staffing and resources limits proactive community involvement. The agency <br />believes that it has developed a positive relationship with the media, and that it has used <br />this resource as a way to communicate needs and concerns to the general public. As of <br />late, this contact has been reactive, as HIHS has had to "defend" itself against local <br />criticism. The Study Team feels that the organization must cultivate and improve media <br />relations by providing information relating to the positive aspects of the agency. HIHS <br />should take a more aggressive approach to public relations and "sell" the agency to the <br />community on a continuing basis to increase support among taxpayers and improve its <br />level of funding. <br />After reviewing this area, the Study Team offers the following recommendations to include: <br />U An Animal Control Advisory Board should be established. The new Board should <br />develop and implement its own goals and objectives. The Board should write its <br />own by-laws, defining its purpose and specific goals. A "conflict of interest" <br />statement should also be added to the Board's by-laws. New Animal Control <br />Advisory Board members should be provided training or instruction regarding their <br />Board responsibilities. All roles and functions should be clearly defined. <br />J The County should consider reassigning the administration of the Animal Control <br />contract to an agency that may be a more "natural fit" and possesses some <br />knowledge of public safety and health issues, such as the Health Department or <br />Police Department. Of course, the transfer of such responsibilities should include <br />additional financial and administrative support, and training for those involved in this <br />process. <br />J While the Study Team sympathizes with HIHS regarding the moral dilemma of <br />adopting out animals which may be exposed to possible injury, the Study Team <br />believes that responsible pet owners, to include pig hunters, should not be excluded <br />from the adoption process. <br />Executive Summary - 6 <br />