The Apple Valley Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday to reject a proposed purchase-and-sale agreement that would have transferred ownership of the Apple Valley Animal Shelter to San Bernardino County and to direct staff to end the town's current sheltering agreement with the county.

Council members cited concerns about local control, uncertain timelines for county expansion and the potential operational impacts on town services and residents. The motion, made by Councilmember Larry Bishop and seconded by Councilmember Larry Cusack, passed 5-0.

The county proposal discussed by staff earlier in the meeting called for a $15 million total package: $10 million in upfront infrastructure funding at closing and a $5 million service credit the county would apply against town sheltering fees over the first seven years of a proposed 10-year services contract. Town staff told the council that the county's charter limits significant contractual investments because contracts cannot exceed 10 years, which staff said created a barrier to county-funded expansion unless the county owned the site.

Town Manager Doug told the council the purchase proposal also included county assurances that current town shelter staff would be offered county employment without loss of pay or classification and that accrued leave balances would transfer. He said the county had indicated an intent to explore building out the unfinished portion of the Apple Valley facility and to include the parcel to the south for potential expansion, but that county documents did not bind the county to a firm expansion schedule.

Public comment at the meeting ran more than two hours. More than 30 residents, rescue volunteers, shelter staff and animal-control officers spoke; most urged the council to keep local ownership and control of the shelter and raised concerns about increased intake, disease outbreaks and changes to programs (volunteer, foster, vaccine clinics) if the county took over operations. Several shelter staff described day-to-day operational pressures from high intake volumes and said county takeover would not guarantee immediate improvements.

Supporters of the county proposal also addressed the council, arguing that county management could bring larger-scale vaccination, foster and transfer networks and that county-run shelters in the region report higher cat live-release rates. Town staff had described the county's recent investments in Bloomington and the county's broader rescue network during the staff presentation.

After public comment and questions of staff and county representatives who attended portions of the meeting, Councilmember Bishop moved to reject the purchase-and-sale agreement and direct staff to end the current agreement with the county; Councilmember Cusack seconded. The council asked staff to return with options for the town, including operational and budget scenarios for keeping the shelter focused on Apple Valley animals and for other collaborative approaches.

The council vote ends the town's current negotiations to transfer ownership of the building to the county; town staff will work on next steps, which they said would include a revised budget and an intake policy to limit out-of-jurisdiction animals if the town keeps the facility under town control. Staff told the council they had held several shelter positions open pending the council's decision to avoid layoffs while the town and county negotiated.

Action at the meeting does not immediately change the physical custody of animals in the shelter. Town staff said animals currently in the facility remain in the town's custody and that, if the council rejects the sale, the temporary county services arrangement will be ended consistent with the contract notice provisions.

The council also asked staff to study longer-term options, which may include joint approaches with neighboring jurisdictions or a joint powers authority, and to return with a report outlining financial and operational scenarios so the council can consider funding and service-level trade-offs.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Reject purchase-and-sale agreement offered by San Bernardino County and direct staff to end the current temporary county sheltering agreement; request staff to return with alternative options and fiscal impacts.
- Mover: Councilmember Larry Bishop. Second: Councilmember Larry Cusack.
- Vote: Bishop — yes; Cusack — yes; Carrie Leon — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Emmick — yes; Mayor Scott Nassif — yes. Tally: Yes 5; No 0. Outcome: approved.