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Bexar County awards $10.9M contract for new animal care facility; officials cite rising construction costs
Summary
The commissioners approved a roughly $10.9 million award to Catamount Constructors for a new animal care facility (17,000 sq ft, 132-dog capacity), funded by a mix of new allocations and savings; staff cited sharp increases in labor and materials and added disease-control enhancements.
Facilities Management presented a recommended award on Nov. 18 for a new county animal care facility and the court approved a purchase order to Catamount Constructors Inc. for roughly $10.9 million. Dan Curry, director of Facilities Management, said the project was initially estimated much lower but rising labor and materials costs and design enhancements pushed the final bids higher.
"We know that we need $10,900,000 to work this project," Curry told commissioners, explaining labor costs in the Southern U.S. have risen sharply since 2021 and that construction and concrete prices also climbed. Curry said staff used savings from closed projects and other reallocations to fill the funding gap.
The building is designed at about 17,000 square feet with a current kennel capacity of 132 dogs; staff said the design includes epoxy flooring, improved dividing walls, and higher‑quality kennel kits to aid cleaning and disease control. Catamount representatives said the firm maintains a local office and employs roughly 100 workers in the San Antonio area.
Commissioners discussed cost drivers and urged staff to pursue local subcontracting opportunities for minority‑ and women‑owned firms where possible. The court approved the award by voice vote; staff will execute the contract documents and complete budget transfers as presented.
What’s next: Facilities will finalize the contract, begin procurement of long‑lead items and return with construction timelines and local‑hire/subcontracting plans.
