County commissioners and staff discussed a possible county acquisition of a roughly 4.5-acre parcel described as suitable for an animal shelter and the technical, financial and operational issues that would follow.
County staff told commissioners the parcel sits near Highway 97 and is inside the city limits for some adjacent property but has access, sewer and water complications that would require coordination with the Washington State Department of Transportation and the City of Omak. Staff estimated assessor value near $8,000 per acre in informal conversation and said the assessor showed a lower assessed value online.
Why it matters: commissioners said owning land for an animal shelter could allow the county to control site design and long-term operations but would likely require upfront capital for water/sewer extensions and a state DOT access approval for commercial use.
Staff flagged three implementation issues: whether a driveway or other DOT access permit is feasible for commercial traffic; the cost and route for city sewer and water extensions (pipe length and latecomer fees were discussed); and whether the county would run the shelter directly or lease county-owned land to a nonprofit operator such as a humane society.
Commissioners asked staff to research precedents in other counties. Staff and commissioners cited examples where counties owned property and a nonprofit (Humane Society or similar 501(c)(3)) operated the shelter under lease. One commissioner tasked staff to ask local nonprofit contacts and regional counties about typical lease terms and operational arrangements. The board also discussed financing options including buying the parcel outright with road fund money and then repaying the road fund through a loan or transfer mechanism.
Staff noted potential tradeoffs with other capital priorities, including shop projects funded by bonds and the county capital-improvement program.
What’s next: staff will contact DOT about access options to Highway 97, inquire with the City of Omak regarding sewer/water extension plans and ask other counties and humane-society operators about typical lease arrangements and operating models for county-owned shelter property.