Commissioners approve design contract for new $3.5M animal‑care facility; some call for stronger local participation

The commissioners court voted on July 21 to approve an architectural services agreement with LBL Architects (Shelter Planners of America) to design a proposed animal‑care facility. County staff said the project budget is currently estimated at about $3.5 million for construction and that the full design fee bundled architecture, civil and geotechnical work at approximately $595,000, consistent with the county’s CIP allocation.

Supporters argued the current shelter lacks adequate isolation to prevent disease spread and that a modern facility will improve animal health outcomes and adoption rates across rural precincts. Several commissioners pressed officials to expand the local workshare during construction procurement and to consider interlocal cooperation with nearby cities when possible. Staff said local civil‑engineering and geotechnical firms (Friese/Nichols and Terracon) are already included among consultants and that final construction contracts will be publicly bid and open to local subcontractors.

The court approved the design agreement after discussion and reiterated that awarding the design contract follows an April selection by the court. Commissioners asked project staff to maximize local participation when the project advances to procurement and to continue stakeholder outreach and cost‑control measures.