Apple Valley council rejects county purchase of town animal shelter, directs staff to end county agreement

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…