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Joint animal services study: current site inadequate; new facility concept sized at ~19,800 sq ft with $33–45 million estimated cost
Summary
JASCOM reported that the current animal services facility is space-constrained and site-limited, and presented a smaller refined concept (about 19,768 sq ft plus 2,500 sq ft attached) with a total project estimate of $33–45 million.
JASCOM (Joint Animal Services) reported on Feb. 18 that the current animal services facility is functionally constrained and that a replacement site and building will be required to meet industry standards and expanded services.
A member reporting from JASCOM said the current site cannot be redeveloped in place because wetlands, buffers and partial location in a flood zone limit usable area to roughly two acres and prevent simultaneous construction and operations. Concept refinements reduced an initial program of 30,000 square feet to a proposed core facility of about 19,768 square feet plus an attached 2,500-square-foot component. The project cost estimate range presented was roughly $33 million to $45 million.
JASCOM reviewed funding assumptions and noted available reserves of about $1 million, a legislative design request for $2 million, an identified $500,000 of potential grant funding, about $500,000 in local donations, and an estimated current property value near $3 million. Given the $33–45 million estimate, the JASCOM report said the agency will need to evaluate financing options including an interlocal loan repayment model and the possibility of creating an animal control district with taxing authority.
Operational data presented: volunteers contributed 5,626 hours across roughly 140 volunteers in the last reporting period (equivalent to about 2.7 full-time positions); 445 animals went into foster care; 2,285 exams; 1,258 spay/neuter surgeries; 604 other surgical procedures; animal intake increased 5% year over year (27% of that increase were dogs). Field response units handled about 2,900 calls in 2024 covering strays, enforcement, cruelty and neglect.
Report authors said a new facility would enable public spay-and-neuter services currently not possible at the existing site and would raise the service level and capacity. The board also noted an enforcement action this year involving a multi-jurisdictional response to a cockfighting operation that freed nearly 600 roosters.
No final site-selection or financing decision was recorded at the council meeting; the JASCOM representative said further work is needed to refine plans, pursue legislative design funding and consider financing or taxing options across jurisdictions.
