County must pay increased cost of shelter
By SCOTT BUTKI / Staff Writer
Due to contractual obligations, the county has to pay $450,000 more than previously estimated for the Humane Society of Washington County's new animal shelter, County Attorney Richard Douglas said.
The project estimate for the 14,000-square-foot building has increased from $1.3 million in June to nearly $2 million.
The new shelter is to be built next to the existing 4,000-square-foot facility on Maugansville Road.
As part of the county's multi-year animal control contract with the Humane Society of Washington County, the Washington County Commissioners agreed to fund 70 percent of the capital cost of a new shelter.
At the time that contract was approved that cost would have been $927,500. Under an increased estimate, the county's share would increase to about $1.4 million.
The commissioners approved the increased amount during Tuesday's meeting. The funding method, which could range from using cash reserves to paying the amount over at least a 10-year period, will be decided later, perhaps after the county has a better sense of next year's overall budget, County Administrator Rodney Shoop said.
