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Thurston County commissioners press for clearer funding path as regional animal-shelter concept advances
Summary
Commissioners received a JASCOM update on a concept plan for a regional animal shelter, discussed rough cost estimates ($33–41 million total; $26–34 million net to jurisdictions), funding options and the Interlocal Agreement’s per-capita allocation, and directed staff to circulate detailed calculations and explore revenue options.
Commissioners received an update on a regional animal-shelter concept and pressed for more clarity on funding and county oversight.
The report, given during a standing check-in on external boards, said JASCOM provided a concept floor plan and rough cost estimates for a proposed new facility; total cost estimates range from about $33 million to $41 million, with jurisdictions’ net share estimated at roughly $26 million to $34 million after other funding sources are applied. The update said jurisdictions’ per-capita share would be the mechanism for assessments under the Interlocal Agreement (ILA).
Why it matters: Thurston County’s potential share would be a substantial multi‑year budget item. Commissioners asked for explicit, jurisdiction-level cost calculations and for earlier involvement in design and sizing decisions so the county can align the project with what it could reasonably fund over a multi-year horizon.
Commissioner discussion centered on process, cost-sharing and timing. Commissioner Klaus — who said she was elected vice…
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