Town staff and consultant KSA presented concept designs and a budget framework Monday for two town priorities: a new animal shelter and a new police station on town‑owned land adjacent to the existing police facility. After discussion about scope, community input and costs, the council directed staff to return with a formal contract and tabled action to the Nov. 10 meeting.

Town staff and Chief BJ introduced Abiel Carrillo of KSA Engineers and architect John Selmer, who reviewed concept plans carried forward from earlier studies. “We are severely in need of a police department. We are severely in need of an animal shelter,” the chief said. KSA proposed a modest animal shelter between an estimated 3,500 and 4,000 square feet (the prior concept had been ~2,600 sq. ft.), and a police facility on the same site of roughly 17,000 square feet to meet current and projected staffing needs.

Finance context: staff said Series 2025 bond proceeds include $5,000,000 earmarked for the animal shelter build/design and $3,100,000 for police station design; together those sums total about $8,100,000 available now. KSA presented a not‑to‑exceed design and preconstruction framework fee of about $1,200,000 to complete design, oversee procurement and support a construction manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) approach. KSA said building both projects together could lower overall construction cost (their estimate showed roughly $14,000,000 if built together versus about $17.5 million if contracted separately), and gave a rough construction window for work to start in 2026–27 with completion targeted in 2028.

Council members and residents urged broader community input and careful cost control. Several council members said volunteers and local animal‑welfare groups should be consulted on design and operations. Councilmember Shanna Danny asked for clearer estimates of likely total project cost and whether alternative program sizes could be presented; others emphasized the importance of including community stakeholders in planning.

After discussion, councilmembers asked staff to return with a formal contract implementing the design scope and fee framework for council review. Council voted to table action on the contract until the Nov. 10 council meeting so the written contract can be placed in the packet and reviewed by the town attorney and staff. The council also asked the consultant to include public‑engagement milestones in the contract and to provide the contract draft in advance of the Nov. 10 agenda packet.

The meeting did not authorize construction; it set a path for staff to return with a formal contract and additional community engagement opportunities before council approves any firm design or construction guarantees.