Board authorizes $25,000 feasibility study for animal-shelter fundraising, pauses on larger contract

The board on July 11 approved payment of $25,000 for a feasibility study to determine fundraising potential for an enhanced animal-shelter facility and directed county staff to return with results before authorizing the remainder of a proposed fundraising contract.

Dylan Wright of OC Community Resources explained the two-phase contract: an initial feasibility study to test whether county and private partners can support a campaign aiming for $2,000,000 in enhancements, followed by an execution phase. Supervisor Spitzer objected to approving both phases up front, arguing the feasibility study should be completed and its findings discussed publicly before the board authorized the $175,000 fundraising engagement. He moved to authorize the feasibility study only; staff said the agreement as written contained the phases and recommended delegating authority to staff to amend the contract consistent with the board's motion.

Supervisors also debated the fundraising target—some documents cited a $1,000,000 target in the RFP while staff and vendor discussions referenced $2,000,000. Wright said the vendor believed a $2,000,000 goal was achievable and that the feasibility work would validate a final target.

Outcome: The board authorized the feasibility portion and directed staff to return with the feasibility report and any recommended next steps before spending additional funds on the fundraising contract. The board also authorized staff to make non-substantive contract edits consistent with the motion.

Quote: "The first part, the feasibility study is to determine ... the goal being $2,000,000 to help fund certain enhancements to the new animal care facility," Dylan Wright explained. Supervisor Spitzer said, "Let's do the feasibility study, and then we'll really know what the target is."