The Habersham County Commission will hold a work session Monday, October 21 to discuss the new animal shelter.
According to the agenda, the commission will discuss the value engineered plans for the project and proposed funding of the new animal shelter facility.
The new animal shelter facility project has been a hot topic over the past two years.
The project was budgeted for $1.75 million initially when SPLOST 7 was placed on the ballot in November 2020. However, over the last four years, due to design changes, site selection, and skyrocketing construction costs, the project stalled.
The project was bid out with a maximum guaranteed price of approximately $10 million. Since that time, the county has been working to reduce that cost. The last estimate for construction of the project, after value engineering reductions, was approximately $7.5 million.
Over the last two years, citizens have been vocal about building the facility, sooner rather than later. The urgency for the new facility is due to the age, design, and overcrowding at the current animal shelter. Demands on the animal shelter over the last few years have increased exponentially.
SEE RELATED: Citizens press HabCo Commission to build animal shelter
Last month, two online groups sparred over when to actually build the facility. One group wants it built without delay with another group wanting the commission to “pause” for 90 days to look for ways to save costs.
Representatives from both groups addressed the County Commissioners during its September meeting. However, both groups agree that the shelter needs to be built.
The Habersham County Commission will meet for the work session on Monday, October 21, at 5 p.m. in the Jury Assembly Room located in the Habersham County Courthouse at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville.
