Worker’s compensation classifications, emergency packets to assure government operations continue even in an unexpected absence, rules about service animals in government offices, budgets, safety inspections, fire restrictions – all of that and more occupied Jefferson County’s election officials at an August 22 meeting.
The working luncheon was the latest installment of a regular gathering of county elected officials and department heads. Sometimes those meetings are rather uneventful, but this most recent version was packed with information sharing.
One item that prompted extended discussion was a report by Personnel Officer Kellie Doherty on the rules about service animals being allowed into county offices. The questions a county employee may ask of someone with a supposed service animal are very limited, she said. Whether the animal is required due to a disability and what services the animal is trained for are pretty much the extent of what can be asked, she said. If the animal gets out of control, it can be removed from the office only if the owner does not regain adequate control, she said. Staff cannot ask the extent of disability or source of disability, and therapy animals are included in the definition of a service animal, she said. There is no certifying body and no document of verification that can be required, she said.
