Board OKs $299,992 architectural contract for new animal control facility

Buckingham County supervisors approved a $299,992 architectural and engineering contract with Dominion 7 Architect of Lynchburg to design a proposed new animal control facility.

County staff said the animal control facility committee issued a request for qualifications, interviewed four firms and unanimously selected Dominion 7 based on experience designing animal shelters. "The committee unanimously chose Dominion 7 Architect from Lynchburg, who has a ton of experience in building animal control shelters or facilities," a county staff member told the board.

The contract will be paid from the county's animal control reserve, the staff member said. The board voted unanimously to authorize the county to contract with Dominion 7 for design services so the project can move from conceptual discussion into preliminary design. "I'm asking the county tonight to allow the county to contract with Dominion 7 for architectural engineering services for design and build on a new animal control facility," the staff member said.

Staff emphasized the project is in the early stages and no final building design has been chosen. The firm will work with county staff to develop options and refined cost estimates; further board approvals will be required before construction funding is authorized.

The motion to enter the contract passed 7‑0. County staff said the design contract will allow the committee and staff to produce designs and cost estimates necessary for future budget requests.