Julie Thomas

Because the Monroe County Ordinance does not specifically permit wildlife rehabilitation centers, they do not conform with the law.

We recognize the importance of crafting a good ordinance which balances the needs of the community with the protection of wildlife.

As such, the Plan Commission will need to develop an ordinance. We have learned a great deal from the folks who are committed to protecting wildlife, and we will continue to do so. To develop an ordinance, the Ordinance Review Committee will write the language – but the Ordinance Review Committee will not consider that item until September (at the earliest), as staff is conducting research.

Please contact planningoffice@co.monroe.in.us to be placed on a notification list. You will be notified when this item is brought to any of the Planning committees or the Plan Commission.

Although we do not take public comment at the Ordinance Review Committee nor at our Plan Commission Administrative meetings, we do take public comment at Plan Commission regular meetings. After the Plan Commission has made their recommendation, the item will move to the Board of Commissioners. First, the item will appear on our work session agenda - but we will not take public comment during the work session. When the item appears on the agenda for the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting, we will take public comment.

The Commissioners also host office hours (6 hours each month) where you can drop into a Teams meeting and offer your input. Check out the meetings available on the calendar at in.gov/counties/Monroe.

Again, thank you for reaching out. If you have any questions in the interim, please contact me – especially after we have our initial discussion on this issue in September or soon after September.

Thank you,
Julie

Julie L. Thomas
Monroe County Commissioner


[Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]