ISLE OF WIGHT—Wilbur “Ed” Sullivan, chief animal control officer for Isle of Wight County, will retire on April 30.

The county’s general policy for filling positions is to leave them vacant for 90 days, said county spokesman Don Robertson.

Robertson said he expects IOW Sheriff Charlie Phelps, who oversees animal control, to speak to the board supervisors during their 5 p.m. Thursday, March 3, meeting to waive that requirement.

“Clearly this is a critical position,” Robertson said. “The sheriff will talk to the board about not having to go through the 90-day freeze so that he can move forward to fill the position immediately.”

After a tenure with the City of Portsmouth, Sullivan began working in his current capacity in July 2005.

“Since I started working for the county 5½ years ago, my goal has been to get the new shelter underway,” he said.

He was involved in planning the new $1 million animal shelter, which is under construction.

“I have enjoyed working with the Chief Sullivan over the past several years,” said Phelps. “He has been an asset to the organization and has always been there when we needed him.”

Sullivan plans to spend time with his family, but will remain active with the county’s animal shelter as a volunteer.