Bernalillo County OKs animal shelter plan

$6.3 million project to be finished next year

Bernalillo County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with construction of its animal shelter.

“It’s an exciting time for the county,” said Greg Perez, deputy county manager for health and public safety. “We’re about to embark on something we haven’t had the opportunity for in the past, which is a brand-new, stateof-the-art animal care facility.”

He said the county would also be able to begin adopting out animals for the first time.

Two bids were submitted for the project. Richardson and Richardson Construction was selected as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Commissioners also approved the $6.3million construction contract with the company. The total includes two bid alternates and about $432,600 in gross receipts taxes.

The county has already purchased the land, and design of the facility has been completed. Construction is expected to start by July 31 and will take about 11 months. The 17,186-square-foot animal care and resource center will be built at 3001 Second SW. Financing for the project is coming from a series of public safety general obligation bonds approved by voters.

“The public supports this proj-

ect, as evidenced by their approval of public safety bond funding,” County Manager Julie Morgas Baca said in a staff analysis provided to the commission. “The project is essential to address the issue of animal care and regulation in unincorporated Bernalillo County.”

According to staff, the county handles about 5,000 animals a year.

Perez said the county currently transports animals to the cities of Aztec and Santa Fe.

He said the county had been taking animals to the city of Albuquerque — at a cost of about $879,000 a year — but no longer does that because its animal care center is being renovated.

The county plans to house its own animals once the new facility is complete. County officials estimate that it will require 17 additional staff members.

Operating costs are estimated at about $1.2 million a year, not including staffing costs.

Part of the cost will be offset by the money the county will save by no longer having to pay outside entities to take its animals and from an estimated $220,990 the county expects to generate through fees.