Henry County reviews $5.9 million proposal for new animal services shelter, plans budget review Feb. 9
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Summary
County staff and the sheriff presented preliminary designs and cost estimates for a proposed 11,065-square-foot animal services shelter to be shared with the city of Martinsville; presenters said the existing 1978 shelter is out of compliance and the board will consider the project during the Feb. 9 budget planning session.
County staff and the sheriff on Jan. 29 presented preliminary plans and cost estimates for a new animal services shelter, saying the current 1978-era facility is overcrowded and out of compliance with state requirements.
"The facility that is being proposed is 11,065 gross square foot," presenter Mr. Powell told the Board of Supervisors, outlining a design that would include 24 single dog runs, six double adoption runs, seven small-breed runs, multiple quarantine runs and a 177-square-foot enclosed outdoor cat patio. The plan also includes office space for shelter staff, an intake area, grooming and food-preparation space and an interior sally port.
Sheriff Davis and other staff described recurring operational problems at the existing shelter, including inadequate isolation and bathing space, poor interior drainage and, at times, no heat. "We technically classify as a no kill shelter," the sheriff said, adding the facility has been cited previously by the state veterinarian's office and has required temporary workarounds such as moving animals to county jail space during cold periods.
County staff presented preliminary cost estimates for a combined Henry County–Martinsville facility at about $5,900,000, with an initial annual operating estimate near $600,000. Powell said an initial cost-share formula discussed would be a two-thirds county, one-third city split if the jurisdictions move forward with a combined project. He said architects (RRMM) have delivered renderings and that the next step would be development of construction documents and bidding if the board endorses proceeding.
Volunteer and shelter advocate Robin Ward urged board members to tour the existing shelter before finalizing decisions. "There is a desperate need for a shelter," Ward said during public comment, noting recent large seizures and the strain on capacity.
Powell and others told the board the animal shelter would be considered as part of the county's capital improvement and budget planning at the Feb. 9 session. No formal appropriation or commitment was made during the Jan. 29 meeting.
The board did not vote on construction funding on Jan. 29; the county will place the project on the Feb. 9 budget planning agenda for further review and potential inclusion in capital planning.
