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Staff recommends design and bid package for county-run animal-control facility; preliminary cost ~$700,000
Summary
Staff presented a feasibility study to convert an existing county building next to the jail into an animal-control facility, estimating renovation costs in the mid-$600,000s plus up to $100,000 to equip the facility (total near $700,000) and asking permission to hire Smith Design Group to produce bid-ready plans (fee capped at 5.7%/not to exceed $43,000).
County staff asked the board for permission to hire a design firm to produce minimum design documents and specifications to bid conversion of the old extension office (adjacent to the jail) into an animal-control facility serving unincorporated Troup County.
The project lead (speaker 15) and animal-control staff (speaker 12) said preliminary construction/renovation estimates are in the mid‑$600,000 range, and equipping the facility would cost another roughly $100,000, putting total expected costs near $700,000. Staff recommended using Smith Design Group to develop minimal design and bid documents; the quoted fee was 5.7% of construction cost with a guaranteed maximum of $43,000. Staff said the planned facility would initially include about 20 kennels (designed capacity 40 but limited to avoid "if you build it, they'll come" effects), inmate-worker support for maintenance, licensing with the Department of Agriculture, and options for incinerator capability or shared services with the city. "Somewhere in the $700,000 range would be the total cost, if we decided to move forward with that," the project lead said.
Why it matters: the county currently pays more than $650,000 annually for contracted shelter services; owning and operating its own facility could reduce long-term operating costs and improve response capacity for animal-control calls. Commissioners raised questions about operating budgets, capacity planning, licensing requirements and inmate‑worker details; staff proposed returning in 2–3 months with completed bids, firm construction costs and a recommended operating budget.
Next steps: staff requested authorization to hire the designer and proceed to a bid-ready package so the board can consider a formal construction appropriation when firm numbers are available.
