Court directs staff to find site at Myers Park for sheriff’s equine therapy program

County administration briefed the court on the status of the Valor participants and an equine therapy program currently operating at a private ranch. The county administrator recalled that a July 2024 court order authorized construction of an equine facility on county property with conditions that the project have no financial impact on county taxpayers and that commissary spending be reviewed by the auditor.

County administration recommended pivoting the facility to Myers Park — a county park about a 15-minute drive from the courthouse campus — and asked the court to direct staff to find a suitable location there. Administration and the sheriff agreed the courthouse campus is not the best location.

Why it matters: the Valor program and equine therapy are ongoing; moving the facility to Myers Park would keep the project on county land but off the courthouse campus and could leverage existing park infrastructure and utility access.

Commissioners asked staff to examine options that could minimize taxpayer impact, including improving existing park infrastructure versus building a new structure, and to ensure commissary dollars remain the funding source as originally approved. Commissioners also asked for regular status updates as staff evaluate site options, utilities and costs.

Court action: a motion directing staff to find a location in Myers Park and to use county resources to determine the best site and specifications for the sheriff’s equine therapy program passed 4–0. Court members said further details on construction, funding and operations will return to the court for review.