Glenn Heights designates $3 million from general fund to reestablish animal shelter

The Glenn Heights City Council voted unanimously to designate $3,000,000 from the city’s unassigned general fund to support the establishment of a city animal shelter. The motion, offered by Mayor Pro Tem Travis Bruton, directs staff to use the funds for site evaluation, preliminary design, construction estimates and staffing models; the vote was 5-0.

Council was told the shelter is currently closed after the city’s two animal control officers left — one relocated and the other took a different job — and that intake and on-site services are suspended until staffing solutions are identified. As Dr. Horn explained, the city had “absolutely, no choice, but to close down the structure.”

Bruton reviewed prior financing: a $3.5 million bond proposal in November did not pass, but he proposed using existing unassigned general‑fund balance to avoid issuing debt. Staff and council discussed numbers: Bruton suggested setting aside $2.75 million as an initial allocation but the council settled on $3,000,000 to give staff direction and reduce delays caused by repeated return trips to council.

Council members raised site‑selection issues and operational concerns. Councilmember Washington, who visited the shelter before it closed, noted potential problems with placing a shelter next to a park because of noise and odor and warned about animals escaping into adjacent neighborhoods. Staff said they would evaluate multiple sites, return with a proposed footprint and timeline, and aim to present recommendations by May 19.

The council also asked finance staff to prepare budget amendment resolutions to formally record the designations.