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Council hears plan to fund animal-shelter 'free-range' cat-room addition with trust and donations
Summary
Staff described a proposed 2-room free-range cat addition to the Hutchinson animal shelter with an estimated construction cost of $495,000 after value engineering; funding would pair a $360,000 Gossage Trust bond reimbursement with about $135,000 from a donation account.
City staff presented designs and a funding plan for an addition to the Hutchinson animal shelter that would create two free-range communal cat rooms, indoor/outdoor enclosed patios and support spaces.
Justin Combmes, parks and facilities director, said construction estimates reached $560,000 in early projections and value engineering reduced that to about $495,000. The funding proposal relies on up to $360,000 in funding from the Gossage Trust (the trust would bond and reimburse the city) and the remainder from the shelter's donation account (identified in the discussion as the Joseph Shepard account), which has approximately $250,000 available.
Combmes said there was never intent to tap general tax revenues and that the gift and trust arrangements are intended to cover all costs. Council members asked about the donation-account history, the desire to preserve a reserve balance for unforeseen repairs, and whether donor funds would be fully depleted. Combmes said the plan would use trust funds first and then supplement with donation funds so that no city tax dollars are required.
No formal action was required at the meeting; staff will continue design and planning with the trust and donor accounts.
