During the Dec. 16 Grand Traverse County Ways and Means Committee meeting, County Administrator Tom Menzel informed commissioners three county departments have been or will be eliminated. The structural changes, Menzel indicated, are the first step of an overall organizational restructuring designed to reduce the county’s $3.5 million deficit. Some staff and resources from the former departments are expected to transfer to other departments, through it remains unclear how these changes will affect services to county residents.

According to information made available during Menzel’s presentation, two staff members from the Geographic Information Services Department have been relocated to the Equalization Department, while two others were cut. The Construction Code Department will become a division of the Planning and Development Department.

Beginning Jan. 1, Animal Control, which had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Health Department, will become part of the Sheriff’s Department. The change eliminates two Animal Control officers from county payroll. According to a statement released by the county Monday, Animal Control’s “level of service may change next year, and that will be determined during a planning meeting among the County Administrator, department heads from the County Sheriff’s Department and Health Department, and staff from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.”

“Until the meeting takes place, services specific to Animal Control will not be enhanced under the Sheriff’s Department. Once County expectations and what is mandated by law have been defined, a transition strategy will be established, and the public will be notified,” the statement concluded.

The county also stated that until the Jan. 1 switch, Animal Control will continue to operate 40 hours a week from 8:30am-5pm on weekdays. The transfer to the Sheriff’s Department is also expected to be accompanied by a corresponding $100,000 in licensing fees.