Board recommends up to $39,000 to replace kennels and seal county animal-shelter floor

The Board of Commissioners recommended that the finance committee authorize the sheriff's office to buy new kennels and seal the animal shelter floor for an amount not to exceed $39,000 and authorized the board chair to sign necessary documents.

County officials said the kennels and a sealed, washable floor are meant to reduce rust, prevent disease transmission between animals and address repeated deficiencies raised in inspections. Jeff Hone, undersheriff, said the panel system under consideration is washable and approved by state inspectors: "These panels are approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture to to be placed in there." He said maintenance staff can install the panels.

The request was presented as a procurement consistent with county policy on single-source purchases when a good-faith bid effort cannot locate comparable vendors. Board members asked staff to document that they had searched for alternatives before finance considers the purchase; the transcript records that staff had difficulty finding other full-panel systems and had contacted multiple suppliers.

Officials noted the shelter has seen increased public donations and said those funds, together with county funding if needed, are the anticipated source for the work. Hone told the board the panels would be aluminum to avoid rust and that the upgrades should improve animal health and safety.

The motion to recommend authorization to finance passed on voice vote.

The finance committee will review the single-source justification and any additional vendor research before approving contracts and release of funds.