Carbon County officials are wondering if they should still be in the county animal shelter business.

During the county commissioners' meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Wayne Nothstein, chairman, announced that Kari M. Bauchspies, the county animal warden; as well as Chelsea L. Evans, part-time K-9 officer; both resigned from their posts. Bauchspies resignation is effective June 1; while Evans' is June 6.Nothstein said that this leaves only one part-time K-9 officer at the shelter, which is located on top of the Broad Mountain in Nesquehoning."This really puts a strain on our services," he said, noting that this will affect operations at the animal shelter until a solution can be found. "I don't know how we're going to handle this yet."He said that there are volunteers that help at the shelter, caring for animals, and they may be utilized more in addition to the one part-time officer for the time being.But he questioned if the county should be in the animal shelter business because of rising costs, cuts to grants that helped operate the facility, and the high turnover in employees.Robert Crampsie, county controller, explained that currently, the 2012 county budgeted expense for the shelter is $92,142. Of that amount, it is estimated that the shelter will bring in $17,600 as revenue; for a total cost to operate the shelter, or what the taxpayers are responsible for, at $74,542.This is up significantly from 2011's overall cost or the taxpayer responsibility of $34,180 because a $27,000 dog enforcement grant, which the county had been receiving, has been cut by the state.Gerhard added that the upkeep and maintenance of the building is also adding additional costs to the county's expenses that were not budgeted, such as repairing kennels.Nothstein then posed the question to the community, "I'm asking if there is any other groups, SPCA or other organization, who would be willing to take over operations at the shelter for us."He said that if a group would like to operate the shelter, the county would allow them to use the building, and possibly cover some of the other in-house costs, like water; but the group would be responsible for the majority of the operational expenses.Nothstein added that currently, there are 20 dogs at the shelter and encouraged anyone looking for a dog to go look now and adopt."There are some beautiful dogs up there," Gerhard added. "The adoption is reasonably priced and the dogs are treated well."Anyone interested in taking over operation of the shelter should call the commissioners' office at (570) 325-3611, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.In other matters, the commissioners acted on a number of items. They are as follows:• Approved a project modification request to extend the Carbon County Criminal Justice Advisory Board subgrant for continuation of the JNET access for police departments and court related offices and costs associated with mobile access to JNET for an additional three months at a cost of $4,219. Of that, $1,055 is reimbursable.• Extended the bid due date and bid opening for the lightning suppression system at the Carbon County Correctional Facility. The new deadlines are June 11 for receiving bids and will be opened on June 14.• Approved a release of funds from the hotel tax in the amount of $1,000. The money will be given to the Weissport Redneck Festival committee to help cover costs for the event.• Approved a proposal by James Deutsch, real estate appraiser, for the appraisal of a parcel in Jim Thorpe. The estimated fee will not exceed $1,500.• Approved a proposal from the Person Agency, Lehighton, to revise the appraisal of one parcel, located along Route 209 in Mahoning Township. The cost will not exceed $75. Work will include changing the lot size from 1.837 acres to 1.51 acres of land to be used for the entrance of the Packerton Business Park.• Adopted a resolution authorizing signatories for the Carbon County Deferred Comp Plan account that is maintained with Franklin Templeton Investments.• Adopted a resolution recognizing Kenneth J. Vogel of Packer Township for more than 50 years of service to the county and his community. Vogel owns and operates Vogel Bus Company in Packer Township and is retiring.• Adopted a resolution extending gratitude and best wishes to Dr. Thomas Pollock of Lansford, who is retiring from his family dentistry practice after 40 years.• Adopted a resolution appointing individuals for posting and service of all notices required for the 2012 upset tax sale and year 2011 return and claim notices.