During the budget process, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) agreed that improvements need to be made on the county animal shelter’s HVAC system, and now that is moving forward.
According to a release, the Prince William County Animal Shelter’s HVAC system is dated, and is placing animals at risk for airborne diseases.
Following discussion, the BOCS decided to fund the fixes needed for the HVAC system, which has now been replaced. $1 million was also set aside for the shelter to pull together options for BOCS on additional shelter facility improvements.
“The animal shelter is aging and in desperate need of replacement. We cannot risk the lives of the animals we are trying to rescue because we don’t have a proper facility. When we bring an animal into the shelter, we are responsible for their care,” stated BOCS Chairman Corey Stewart.
County staff are working with consultants to determine how to proceed with improving the animal shelter and “the Board also directed its internal auditor to audit current animal shelter operation”, stated a release. Staff are expected to present their findings on animal shelter improvements this summer, and then move forward with design plans in fiscal year 2017.
“Costs will be funded through the remaining $1.0 million previously appropriated in Fiscal 2017. Once the design phase is complete, staff will advertise and select a contractor for construction of the improvements. Finally, the County will sell the necessary debt to finance project construction. Annual debt service and operating costs for the animal shelter improvement project are already programmed in the adopted Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Five-Year Plan,” stated a release.
