The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Commissioners met in person on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.
Chairman Coleman Locke began the meeting at 9:00AM.
Item 2. Roll Call for Commission Members
Commissioner Osterkamp was absent from the meeting.
No motion to excuse his absence was made.
Item 3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of the 416th and 417th Commission meetings were approved unanimously.
There was no public comment or discussion about the minutes.
Item 4. Closed Executive Session (Legal Advice)
A closed executive session was held from 9:04AM to discuss pending or contemplated litigation, as permitted by Section 551.071 of the Texas Government Code.
Another closed executive session was held to deliberate on the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of specific commission employees, as permitted by Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code.
Item 6. Reconvene After Closed Executive Sessions
The meeting reconvened at 11:52AM to consider any action needed following the closed executive sessions.
Item 7. (Moved out of order)
There is no summary available for this item, as it was moved out of order and not discussed during the meeting.
Item 8. Consideration of Incumbent Executive Director
Chairman Locke recommended reassigning Dr. Andy Schwartz, the incumbent Executive Director, to a new position called "Director IV" with a working title of "Executive Director Emeritus".
The type of animals affected by this issue are not specified.
The new role would come with a salary of $187,811 and would involve helping train and assist the new executive director.
Item 9. Selection of New Executive Director
Chairman Locke presented the recommendation of the selection committee to hire Dr. Lewis R. "Bud" Dinges as the new TAHC Executive Director.
The type of animals affected by this issue are not specified.
Dr. Dinges would start on October 16, 2023, with an annual salary of $180,000.
Item 10. Public Comment
There was no public comment provided during the meeting.