Council opts to explore options before building shelter

Superior’s City Council is keeping its options open when it comes to the size of a new animal shelter in Superior.

The council held in committee discussion of the shelter to explore its options in terms of the size and costs for an animal shelter that would include taking animals currently served by the Humane Society of Douglas County.

The organization serves animals that require shelter services in rural communities of the county.

Mayor Bruce Hagen withdrew a recommendation made almost two months ago to build a smaller shelter to serve the animal control needs in for the city.

However, the mayor advised the council to focus on a gap in funding for a larger shelter that would serve all of Douglas County.

Hagen said he doesn’t believe the cost of running a shelter that serves all of Douglas County should be borne solely by city taxpayers.

Currently, the city is looking at an $828,358 gap in funding for construction and $59,000 annually operating expenses if plans to proceed for a larger animal shelter that would consolidate animal control efforts under one roof.

Still, Hagen said there isn’t anyone who doesn’t agree that one shelter would better serve the community.

The council opted to hold the issue in committee until options can be explored in terms of the size of the shelter needed and closing the gap in funding without asking city taxpayers to foot the entire bill.

Tags: douglas county, news, superior, government, animals, money