Nevada County outlines $17 million plan for new regional animal shelter near Grass Valley

Nevada County officials told the Grass Valley City Council they are moving ahead with plans for a new regional animal shelter located on the La Barr Meadows property at the city limit. Craig Griesbach, Nevada County director of general services, described a facility of roughly 14,660 square feet and a total project cost near $17 million — about $14.75 million for construction and $2.25 million for design and permitting.

“The new facility is designed to have approximately 14,660 square feet,” Griesbach said, and the county is already under contract with an architect to complete design and permitting this year. He said the board of supervisors is expected to review construction bonding authorization this year; if funding is approved, the county would bid the construction contract with a target of building in 2027 and 2028 and opening later in 2028.

County presenters emphasized the project’s potential to centralize services for Grass Valley, Nevada City and unincorporated areas and to reduce duplicated costs. An agency official noted the county is exploring several operating models and said the county is not asking the city to commit to long‑term financial obligations at this stage: “Whatever contracts are done, we’ll come back for your full approval,” the official said.

Council members pressed county staff on how costs would be shared and what the city’s financial obligation might look like. A council member who has followed the issue since 2018 said the city’s budget is constrained and asked whether the county’s proposed models could lock the city into escalating costs. County staff responded that they have been refining cost models and expect varied contracting options, including city contracting for shelter services rather than shared equity ownership, and that some design and permitting funds (about $2 million) have already been spent.

Griesbach said the county has sought to reduce earlier estimates — cutting a previous $20 million construction projection down to $14.75 million — and, he added, county staff are continuing outreach with local rescue groups and nonprofits to partner on operations, medical care and fosters. The county also noted $75,000 in next‑year budget funds to continue spay-and-neuter support and said it has been funding about 250 spay/neuter procedures since late last year.

Next steps include the county completing its bonding decision (staff indicated an August board decision on permits and financing), then returning to the Grass Valley council with proposed contracts or agreement vehicles for council review and approval. The council did not take a final action on the shelter at the meeting; it received the presentation and indicated it expects follow‑up discussions on specific cost and contract terms.