The Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, during its meeting Monday, will consider if the county should participate in the state-funded Spay/Neuter Incentive Program.

SNIP should help reduce the number of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens in the county. The program would be available to people who cannot afford to have their pets spayed or neutered. Potential beneficiaries of the program must meet eligibility requirements. Neighboring counties participate in the program, according to Jim Chrisman, assistant county manager and chief finance officer for the county.

Participating in SNIP would not cost the county any money, Chrisman said.

Chrisman and Todd Taylor, the county’s chief animal-control officer, explained SNIP during a commissioners’ budget work session earlier this year. Veterinarians in Beaufort County have agreed to participate in the program, Taylor explained then. They would submit invoices for procedures performed as part of the program. The county would pay them with money provided by SNIP.

SNIP rules require the funding to go through the county before it is passed on to the veterinarians.

SHIP is included in the county’s 2013-2014 fiscal year budget.

SNIP should help with the problem of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens being left at the county’s animal shelter, where they face euthanasia, or being abandoned at places around the county, Taylor has said.

Taylor said the Department of Social Services would verify that potential SNIP users meet eligibility requirements.

SNIP would be in addition to spay/neuter clinics offered by the animal shelter in conjunction with the Beaufort County Humane Society.

In other business, the board is scheduled to review the proposed capital-improvements plan, which will be presented by County Manager Randell Woodruff.

The CIP is used by the commissioners to set the schedule for major building projects, equipment purchases and maintenance projects to be undertaken by the county in coming years. It also estimates the costs for those projects and purchases.

The board also will discuss no-smoking policies involving county buildings and vehicles.

Public Works Director Christina Smith is slated to provide an update on repairs to the jail and the public elevator at the Beaufort County Courthouse, which houses the jail in its basement.