Pflugerville City Council Earmarks $2M For Animal Shelter Improvements [UPDATE]

PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- City council members allocated some $2 million for improvements at the Pflugerville Animal Shelter during their May 10 regular meeting.

The funds will finance construction of a new Animal Services building located out of the flood plain, complementing the existing cat adoption area, conference room and animal adoption buildings, officials said.

Officials said the new building will house about 48 dogs with indoor and outdoor pins. Additionally, it will contain two dozen small dog cages, a work room area, dry food storage room, office space, staff restrooms, a medical room and roughly 3,600 square feet of enclosed area with extended slab, officials noted.

In choosing the location, city officials were mindful of surrounding residents. The site includes noise-reducing acoustical panels and screen walls to help shield its visibility. An adoption facility with trail parking and restrooms is being proposed along East Pecan Street for added visibility, city officials added.

The old buildings currently located within the 100-year flood plain will be demolished, city officials said.

To view a map showing the location of the new site and its scope, click here: http://pflugervilletx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15815

The new plan puts to rest, for the time being, a proposal to partner with Williamson County Animal Shelter and shut down local animal shelter operations entirely.

When word got out some months ago about the potential partnership -- one of several concepts city officials were exploring for the local animal shelter's future -- many residents united against the measure.

City officials have long mulled what to do about the current animal shelters facilities, and had hoped to issue nearly $11 million in bonds to improve the site. But last November, registered voters balked at the idea of issuing public debt for the project, voting the idea down.

Tuesday night's action helps city officials achieve -- at least piecemeal -- some of the ambitious upgrades to the animal shelter they had sought in the failed bond election.

**************************************************************************************************

From May 10:

PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- City council members will consider taking action on a proposed expansion of the municipal animal shelter at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 10.

The future of the Pflugerville Animal Shelter has galvanized the community, especially after city officials disclosed they were considering shutting down local operations in favor of a partnership arrangement with the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.

The facility's sustainability came into question after voters last November rejected a $10.7 million bond referendum that would have provided funds to for a major upgrade and expansion of the site.

Earlier this year, city officials had to issue an urgent, community-wide alert to residents to assure them that a shutdown of the facility to partner with the WilCo officials was just one of several options being considered. The media focus on a potential county partnership (and the resulting local shutdown) prompted city officials to clarify their stance related to various options for the shelter.

Tonight's meeting may shed further light on the animal shelter's future.

Discussion on the matter is scheduled as the 11th item on Tuesday's agenda. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in city council chambers at 100 E. Main St.

Those unable to attend the meeting can view it live at Pftv.

The meeting also can be viewed remotely at Uverse 99 or Suddenlink 17.