More than 50 interested citizens attended a meeting Wednesday night of the Board of Directors of the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center.  The meeting was moved to the Depot Civic and Cultural Center to provide more room.

Present for the meeting Wednesday from the City of Brownwood were City Manager, Emily Crawford, and City Attorney, Pat Chesser.  After several citizens and Board members voiced their concerns about the animal center at a City Council meeting last week, the City responded with a letter to the organization giving them 60 days to correct their issues.  The City owns the shelter building but does not operate the shelter.  It has been governed by a Board for several decades.  The City also provides some funding to the animal center.

While the board meeting itself began at 6:05 pm, six current members of the board held a question and answer session with the public from 5 to 6 pm.  Not present for the Q and A, or the Board meeting itself, was Debra Dixon who is the current Board President, though some at the meeting voiced they believe by-laws of the 501(c) (3) organization were not followed when she was elected.

Board Vice-President, Sherry Howry, presided over the official meeting which started at 6:05 pm.

Six board members were present in person, another by Skype, making seven.  The board has room for 15 members.

Action taken by the Board Wednesday night was as follows:

• Minutes from a February 4 meeting were denied after questions arose on their accuracy.
• The financial report was presented. The Board voted to deny acceptance of the financial report as presented.
• Board members present approved appointment of two new board members, Leona Cleveland and John Morris.

Since December 16, the Board has been in turmoil and divided.   Dixon was elected President in what was referred to Wednesday night by some in attendance as a coup to take control of the organization.

Current board members present say that, up until Wednesday, they had not been allowed into the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center since a heated Board meeting several weeks ago.

Board members present Wednesday night report they do, once again, have access to the shelter.  They are working through questions regarding finances and control of the center’s bank accounts.

As for the animals, it was reported in the meeting that:

• Shelter conditions are much improved thanks to dedicated employees
• There were 140 dogs in the center last week
• There were 95 dogs needing homes as of Wednesday
• None have been euthanized as was alleged by a false Facebook post
• The dog that had been in the center the longest, 18 months, was adopted this week.
• The shelter is now networking
• The shelter is still accepting animals

The next meeting of the board will be at 6:00 pm Wednesday, March 11, at a location to be determined and announced.