In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the potential collaboration with local universities for wildlife management studies, but ultimately concluded with a decision not to proceed due to cost concerns and lack of interest from institutions.

Commissioner Tofano raised the idea of involving postgraduate students from North Carolina universities in wildlife studies, suggesting it could reduce costs for the town. However, concerns were raised regarding liability insurance for students participating in fieldwork. The town's staff confirmed they had reached out to multiple universities but received limited interest, with NC State being unable to participate.

Commissioner Garner expressed discomfort with the proposed expenditure of $25,000 for the project, citing ongoing discussions over the past two years without fruitful outcomes. He indicated a preference to inform constituents that pursuing this option was not viable at this time, suggesting a reevaluation in the future.

Other commissioners echoed Garner's sentiments, with one sharing personal experiences of decreased deer sightings in their neighborhood, attributing it to environmental changes. The consensus was to discontinue the current project while remaining open to exploring more affordable alternatives in the future.

The meeting also touched on the implementation of a transparency task force, with Commissioner Tofano indicating it as a priority for their term. Further discussions on this initiative are expected in upcoming meetings.