Citrus County moves forward to solicit bids for new animal shelter after years of debate and value‑engineering

The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized staff to put the county’s long‑planned animal shelter project out to competitive bid, directing that the solicitation include a base building and specified alternates rather than approving a single turnkey package. The vote followed more than an hour of public comment and a lengthy staff presentation outlining the project, the history of value‑engineering efforts and remaining funding questions.

Community Services Director Eric Head told the board the design is now a full 100‑percent plan and estimated the cost of the base building at about $12.5 million, with a total build‑out including all alternates running to roughly $15.9 million. Head said the final cost estimates have risen from earlier budget targets because construction costs statewide have increased and the animal‑care facility carries specific, higher‑grade build requirements for kennels, drains, ventilation and continuous usage. If the board orders only the base plan, alternates such as a receiving sally‑port, education and program space, resinous flooring and covered walkways could be bid as add‑ons.

Commissioners and public speakers pressed staff on three recurring topics: (1) storage and staff office space, which volunteers and shelter staff say are already scarce; (2) whether climate control should be expanded beyond a single isolation kennel to protect animals and staff in high heat; and (3) the project’s cost and funding plan. Head and the architects said the design focuses capital on functional animal care space and that the alternates identified in the bidding package were prioritized as “unmet needs” that could be added if funds permit.

Several commissioners urged moving forward with the solicitation so the county obtains firm bid numbers. Commissioners Jeff Kennard, Rebecca Bayes and Holly Davis supported putting the project to bid with alternates; Commissioners Tegana Finnegan and Janet Barrick expressed concerns the design had insufficient storage and office space relative to the county’s needs and asked staff to present options to increase those functions. The board recorded a consensus to send the package to bid with the alternates priced separately so the board can accept or decline add‑ons after bids are returned.

County staff and the shelter’s advocates said private donations (more than $3 million already raised, speakers said) will contribute to construction costs and that the county has previously discussed bonding the balance. County Administrator Steve Howard said staff will return with bid results and funding options.

Presenters and participants included Eric Head (Community Services), Miguel Martin (MLM Architects), Tom Henry (project construction manager), Dr. Megan Milo (veterinarian) and multiple shelter volunteers and donors.