Weber County accepts $482,347.80 donation for animal-shelter upgrades

The Weber County Commission on June 23 approved acceptance of a $482,347.80 charitable distribution from the Joyce R. Matlock Living Trust to benefit Weber County Animal Services.

Animal Services Director Sheri Main told commissioners she was contacted by a representative of the trust and that the shelter will receive $482,347.80. "We will be receiving a sum of ... $482,347.80," Main said, and outlined planned priorities for the funds: a rooftop heating and cooling unit for the large dog holding area (estimated about $153,000), a split heating/cooling unit for dog intake (about $12,000), key-card access for eight doors to improve security (about $23,000), and repairs or replacement for a power washing machine (roughly $35,000–$40,000).

"This amount will allow us to ensure that the city's tax dollars will go towards directly to the care of animals in terms of their health, their feed supplies," Main said, adding the donation would relieve some operational pressure on the shelter's enterprise fund. Commissioners and staff praised Main and the Matlock family for the gift; Commissioner Wallace moved to approve acceptance of the donation and the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Finance and operational details will be coordinated with the county maintenance department and department leadership to prioritize the items Main listed. The commission did not specify additional approvals beyond accepting the gift on June 23; Main indicated the estimates are preliminary and that procurement and project scheduling will follow county procedures.