A multi-year project in the making took the most pivotal step forward Tuesday night at the Jefferson City Council meeting.

The Council awarded the contract for a new animal shelter to the lowest bid by Jensen Brothers Construction for $894,900, with an additional $12,000 epoxy option for the 3,000-square-foot facility. City Administrator Mike Palmer says this project has been going on since 2013 and he’s happy to see it come to the point where a contract was approved. As far as funding for the project, Palmer says $700,000 has been raised through donations and grants, while up to $400,000 is through bonds issued by the City. He talks about the difference between the total amount of funds available and the bid price.

“What we approved was for the building construction. There’s all the interior equipment that needs to go inside, (such as) the cages, the runs. Those additional items are well over $200,000 that’s where the difference comes right then. Actually, we needed to be a little closer to $1.2 million. We’re close to it.”

The new animal shelter will be located on a donated lot by Greene County Development Corporation in their west business park along Highway 4 in Jefferson. He adds, the dog park will also be added, as the cost for that was donated by the Jefferson Rotary Club. Palmer anticipates having the shelter completed by next fall. 

There is about $8,000 left to be raised and anyone who would like to donate to the animal shelter project, can contact City Hall and make their check payable to the Greene County Animal Shelter.