WARREN — Trumbull County commissioners agreed Tuesday to establish an advisory committee to guide the development of a new dog pound, aiming to finalize the location and design before launching fundraising efforts.

The decision, reached during a workshop meeting, followed a discussion among commissioners, the county dog warden and local animal welfare advocates.

The advisory committee, which for now will feature dog warden Michelle Goss and Jason Cooke of Healthy Hearts and Paws as additional applicants come in, will review the proposed site and design for the new dog pound, a project stalled by funding challenges and public criticism.

Commissioner Rick Hernandez stressed the importance of a deliberate approach, saying, “We need to set this panel up, get them organized, and move forward in an organized manner.” He also discussed working with the prosecutor’s office to ensure legal compliance and avoid conflicts of interest.

Goss urged a thorough review to ensure the best outcome for the animals.

“I’m not saying we go backwards,” Goss said. “I just want to make sure we’re making the best decision for the dogs.”

She noted that recent developments, including concerns about cost estimates, prompted her to revisit the previously selected site near the Animal Welfare League (AWL) in Vienna.

Commissioner Tony Bernard proposed starting with a small committee, naming Goss, Cooke and a representative from Voices of the Pound as initial members.

“These three individuals are very involved in what we need for the dogs,” Bernard said, suggesting a committee size of five to nine members to incorporate community input. He advocated for a two-week period for the committee to assess plans and report back, ensuring decisions are well-informed.

Commissioner Denny Malloy expressed frustration over revisiting prior decisions, referencing a 2024 resolution where two commissioners approved the AWL site, with one dissenting.

“We already voted on a location,” Malloy said. “I thought this committee was for fundraising, to get a campaign going.”

He worried that further delays could exacerbate public dissatisfaction, citing frequent complaints about the current dog pound’s conditions.

It has been previously reported about overcrowding and outdated facilities at the dog pound, noting that animals were often kept in poor conditions, making adoptions difficult. A $200,000 donation intended for the new dog pound was used for architectural drawings, but construction had not begun, leading to frustration.

Residents, including advocates like Amanda Herbert, have repeatedly raised concerns at public meetings about the slow progress.

Jason Cooke, whose nonprofit handles overflow from the county’s dog pound, discussed the need for careful planning. “Nobody wants this project done yesterday more than I do, but I want to make sure it’s done right,” he said.

Cooke invited commissioners to visit his facility to see the challenges firsthand, saying that a new dog pound would benefit both the county and local nonprofits. He suggested that fundraising could follow once the committee confirms the project’s details.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Bill Danso advised clarifying the committee’s scope to avoid legal pitfalls, particularly regarding fundraising.

“The first step is, what is the scope of this committee?” Danso said.

He recommended an application process to vet members and disclose potential conflicts, especially for those tied to nonprofits like Healthy Hearts and Paws or Voices of the Pound. Danso also raised concerns about a proposed partnership with 717 Credit Union, noting that Ohio law restricts counties from lending their name to private enterprises. He said he is researching similar arrangements in other counties to ensure compliance.

The commissioners agreed to start with an advisory committee focused on reviewing the location and design, with fundraising to be addressed separately. They directed staff to develop an application process for potential members, with submissions due by Monday for review at the next meeting.

Hernandez noted, “We’ll get the applications going and expand from there,” expressing openness to including community advocates like Herbert, who has attended dog pound discussions for years.

Trumbull County Human Resources Director Alexandra DeVengencie-Bush discussed the need for clear guidelines and accountability.

“You need to identify the purpose, topics, timeline and deliverables,” she said, urging the commissioners to avoid past missteps by engaging all relevant parties, such as insurance and human resources, early in the process.

She pointed out unresolved issues with the AWL site, including easements for shared driveways, which need clarification before construction can proceed.