The Jefferson City Council recently approved a resolution for intent to authorize funds related to a project.

Following a public hearing at their most recent meeting on February 23rd, the Council approved a resolution for intent to authorize general purpose bonds for the Greene County Animal Facility. City Administrator Mike Palmer says the Council is looking to issue up to $400,000 in bonds to go toward the total cost of the new animal shelter. He points out those funds will be combined with the over $600,000 that has been raised through donations and pledges. 

Palmer explains this type of bond would go against the City’s debt capacity and ultimately the debt service levy.

“We’d see a little bit of an increase in our debt service levy for next (fiscal year), that $0.25, and after that it’ll start dropping right back down, quite rapidly as we’re paying off debt.”

Palmer says the original bids on the project were rejected by the City Council earlier this year, with the lowest being over $1 million. He talks about what may have to happen before the City can re-bid the project.

“That’s something we need to check on the legalities of it, what we have to do with that. Essentially, with the City stepping in, we have an architect under contract for the first round of bids. But, since all bids were rejected the first time, we have to see what we need to do as far as, do we need to renew a contract with the architect? Or can the City just re-bid as presented?”

Palmer reminds everyone they are still taking donations for the project, and those can be dropped off at City Hall. He adds, residents can also petition to have a special election for even more funds to be used for the project.