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Questions and Answers
Do you have a question that you don't see on this list?
- What is a General Obligation Bond?
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General Obligation bonds are debt instruments issued by states and city governments to finance large capital improvements. Bonds are sold to investors and the proceeds from the sales of these bonds are used to pay for major capital investments that have a public purpose—in previous Sugar Land Bond programs, these funds have been used to address drainage, parks, mobility and public safety projects.
Bond elections provide voters the opportunity to have a say in which projects they are willing to support through the approval of bond propositions to authorize funding for each type of project on the ballot.
- What is the tax impact of the bond?
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The bonds will require a tax rate increase of no more than 5 cents, spread out over the next five to seven years.
This will initially cost the average homeowner with a home valued at about $500,000 approximately $5 per month. This cost will increase annually, and by 2030, the monthly cost could rise to about $20 per month, excluding the impacts of property revaluation.
Tax Impact Calculator
This Property Tax Impact Calculator is provided as a general information tool to help you estimate the potential impact of tax increases due to the bond based on the values you enter. Please note that the calculator does not account for individual property revaluation, additional tax exemptions, or other factors that may affect your individual tax impact.
- What are the assumptions in value growth?
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Considering current and historical growth of values, estimates assume a 5% value growth in 2025 (which corresponds to Fiscal Year 2026) and 3% annually afterward. Individual property revaluation will vary.
- Why did the City include $50 million in the total bond cost to account for inflation?
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Voter approved projects are anticipated to be completed or under construction in the next five to seven years. As inflation increases, the value of a dollar today will be lower to when the funds are needed to cover project costs.
Since the projects cannot all be completed at once, without adjusting for inflation, project costs can become outdated and insufficient. Adjusting for inflation allows the City to plan for costs based on when voter approved projects are anticipated to begin, and complete projects without significant shortfalls and as scheduled.
- How did the City determine the 50 million dollars that account for inflation on the bond? What is the inflation rate being calculated into it?
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Project estimates totaled around $300 million in 2024 dollars. To account for inflation, the estimates were increased by 4% per year based on project timelines and debt capacity, adding approximately $50 million.
- Since bonds were approved by voters, is the City going to raise the value of my home?
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The City does not set the value of your home. The Fort Bend County Appraisal District is the entity that sets your property’s valuation amount based on market values.
- What interest rate will we have to pay? For how long?
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The interest rate is set by the bond market at the time bonds are issued. The City's interest rate is among the lowest available for municipal bonds. Sugar Land typically issues bonds based on a 20-year maturity schedule, with at least half of the principal paying off in the first 10 years. This aggressive repayment schedule would also minimize the interest cost that must be repaid.
- How were bond projects selected?
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Bond projects were identified through years of public feedback including the most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey, sentiment surveys and community meetings - as well as various master plans and City Council input.
- The Citizen Satisfaction Survey measures and assesses citizen satisfaction with the delivery of major City services and helps set community priorities for improved services and long-range planning.
- Community meetings provide opportunities for direct interaction between City officials and staff and residents.
- Sugar Land’s various master plans are documents that present the long-range goals and objectives for all activities that affect our City.
- How will the City ensure there is accountability in carrying out approved bond projects including project budgets?
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The City is committed to full transparency and accountability in carrying out approved bond projects. Regular updates on project progress, timelines, and the use of bond funds will be available on the City's website.
One example of is the online dashboard created to track American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds. The dashboard provides a clear overview of each project's budget, showing the amount spent versus the remaining funds, providing a clear and transparent view of the financial expenditures for every project. All projects funded from the bonds will be trackable through a similar dashboard once funding is appropriated by City Council each fiscal year.
- Why would a bond election be the way to pay for these projects rather than paying for them as we go?
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The City issues bonds to finance projects that will benefit the City for decades, allowing the cost to be spread across the useful life of the project. It would take many years to accumulate enough funding to pay for these projects as we go- during that time the projects don’t get built.
History has shown that construction inflation far outpaces interest costs and are not fixed as the interest will be on bonds.
- Can bond funds be used for any other purpose?
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No. Texas law requires that the proceeds of voter approved bonds be used only for projects described in the ballot questions.
- How are funds repaid that are received through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds?
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Property taxes are the main source of funds used to repay bonds issued through a General Obligation bond. General Obligation bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing jurisdiction, in this case the City of Sugar Land. This means the City is obligated to pay back the bonds plus interest by pledging revenue from ad valorem taxes. The City levies a property tax annually with a portion of the tax rate dedicated to the interest & sinking fund to repay general obligation bonds in the form of annual principal and interest payments.
- Are tax rate increases resulting from bond approval rescinded after the completion of the projects?
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The tax rate is set each year by City Council and no City Council can bind future City Councils as to that rate as a matter of state law. Property taxes are a legal pledge toward repayment of the bonds once they are issued- and the bonds have a 20-year maturity schedule. City Council is legally obligated to levy taxes to repay the debt. By that same law, future City Councils could roll back the rate at any time or raise it at any time.
- How do bonds affect the Capital Improvement Plan?
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Bonds are one source of funding for City capital projects. Projects that lack funding are not included in the Capital Improvement Program.
- Prior to 2024, when was the last time there was a General Obligation Bond on the ballot?
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General Obligation bonds were last on the ballot in November 2019 with propositions relating to drainage, public safety and facilities, streets and an animal shelter. Prior to that, the last City General Obligation bond election was in 2013.
- Did this bond election include funding for the proposed Rapid-Start Power Plant Project?
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No. The voter-approved bond projects address public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter. Visit www.sugarlandtx.gov/SLBond2024 for more information about bond projects.
More information about the Rapid-Start Power Plant Project is available by visiting www.sugarlandtx.gov/RapidStartPower
- Did this bond election include funding for the proposed autonomous elevated cable & rail system?
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No. The City is partnering with the private sector and will pursue state and federal funding. Learn more about the proposed Autonomous Elevated Cable & Rail System project.
- Why weren’t any parks projects included in the 2024 bond proposal?
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The 2024 Sugar Land bond election addressed public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter.
In 2024, the City secured approximately $19.3 million in federal grants from the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) for trail projects. Additionally, in the 2023 Fort Bend County Mobility Bond and Parks Bond, voters approved around $24 million for trails and parks in Sugar Land. The Sugar Land 4B Corporation also funded about $3 million for parks projects in FY24 and FY25.
- Why wasn’t the T.E. Harman Senior Center included in the 2024 bond election?
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The 2024 Sugar Land bond election addressed public safety, streets, mobility and sidewalks, drainage, municipal facilities, and the planned animal shelter.
The City is actively developing plans for the expansion of the T.E. Harman Senior Center, however, a budget and funding source have yet to be determined. The City is committed to providing a facility that will provide expanded programs and recreational opportunities for seniors in the future.
- What is the status of Parks bond projects we voted for in 2013?
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In the 2013 parks bond, voters approved the development of 128 acres of new parkland along the Brazos River with an adjacent festival site and a connecting network of nearly 10 miles of hike and bike trails and bridges. The City is delivering all parks bond projects approved by voters. All projects are either in design, under construction or complete. The delivery schedule for some of the projects was delayed, pending approval from City Council to authorize the tax rate increase approved by voters due to economic uncertainties at the time.
Latest Project Statuses:
- Brazos River Park – Completed
- The Crown Festival Park – Completed
- Imperial Connector Trail – Completed
- First Colony Trail – Completed
- Sugar Land Trail (Ditch H Trail) will start construction soon.
- What is the status of projects we voted for in 2019?
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The 2019 bond projects were estimated to be completed within five years. Since funding became available in Fiscal Year 2021, of the 20 voter-approved projects, 7 have been completed, 1 is slated to be completed this year, while others are in different stages of design or construction and are expected to be completed in 2025 and 2026.You can view a list of project and their statuses here: www.sugarlandtx.gov/2019BondProjects;
The Animal Shelter project and Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building are currently on hold. Learn more:
- What is the status of the Ditch H Trail project from 2013?
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The project has been renamed Sugar Land Trail Phase 1. This 10-foot-wide concrete trail will run along the west side of Ditch H, starting at Imperial Park near Matlage Way and ending near the Smart Financial Centre at Lexington.
The trail will also include pedestrian underpasses beneath both Highway 6 and US 59, to address safety and connectivity. The design is complete, and construction is expected to begin in the next few months, with an estimated completion time of approximately 12 months.
- Why is the public safety training facility part of proposed 2024 bond projects if voters approved it 2019?
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The 2015 update to the Facilities Master Plan included an assessment of City facilities and recommended construction of a Public Safety Training Facility in phases, based on Sugar Land’s population growth and training standards.
The Public Safety Training Facility was designed for the maintenance of high training standards and response capabilities. Having these facilities within city limits allows Fire-EMS and Police responders to train on duty without leaving the city, allowing them to remain available to respond to emergency calls.
Phase I began in the fall of 2017 with the development of preliminary designs that included identifying proposed Police and Fire-EMS Department training facilities, equipment, infrastructure requirements, and their placement within the allocated site. In addition, construction of an interim gun range was identified through previous studies. This project was included in the approved FY18 budget, and the construction of the gun range was completed in 2018. Phase I of the project also included the construction of a modular fire training facility.
Phase II of the project was included in a $90.76 million bond package approved by voters in 2019. This phase focuses on a training building and an apparatus bay/classroom building. The training building will provide police simulation training that involves close quarters, non-lethal, force-on-force practice in a short-range environment. The apparatus building will include five bays for training and department vehicles. A sixth bay will be utilized as a workshop. This will enable fire fighters to perform all training to simulate a real fire station. This space will also allow for advanced Police and Fire-EMS coordination in an indoor training environment regardless of weather conditions. Phase II construction is expected to be completed in January of 2025.
Voters will have a choice to consider funding a third phase of the project. The proposed Phase III involves the design and construction of fire training structures for live fire training and a permanent gun range to allow indoor training.
- What is the status of the Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building that voters approved in 2019?
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In 2019, voters approved the construction of an Emergency Operations Center/Public Safety Dispatch Building. The building will include dispatch, the Emergency Operations Center (which can become a multi-purpose facility during non-emergencies), Information Technology workroom, parking, and more. The project had been scheduled for design in Fiscal Year 2023 with construction taking place in Fiscal Year 2024.
A proposed project in the 2024 bond election is the construction of new Police headquarters. With the approval of the 2024 bonds, the new Police headquarters will include the already approved Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Dispatch building. Integrating these two projects into a larger facility (rather than two) will reduce construction costs.
- What renovations are being proposed for the existing PD/Court building?
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Deferred maintenance has been identified in the building that will need to be addressed prior to any renovation work takes place. The process to determine the specific renovation work that will take place at the facility, will require consultation with the proposed Facility Master Plan - which outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. Additionally, a detailed analysis of facilities data, including age, condition, and usage of each building will take place. Occupant input will also be a key factor, as first responders who use these facilities on a daily basis can provide valuable insights into the building’s functional uses.
- Why are you proposing a new Police Department headquarters building if the department already has a building?
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At the time of its opening in 1996, the Police Department employed 105 people, including officers and civilian personnel, all housed in a facility with 53,615 square feet of space. At that time, each employee had approximately 511 square feet of space, allowing for adequate working space and conditions. Over the past 28 years, city growth has led to increased expectations for the Police Department's services and response capabilities.
In response to changing service level expectations, the department has introduced programs and specialized units that didn't exist when the building was originally designed. A few examples follow:
- Forensic Services Unit (FSU): Handling of all in-custody property and evidence.
- Digital Forensic Unit: Involves identifying, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence for investigations and court proceedings in nearly every crime.
- Mental Health Unit: The unit conducts follow-ups with mental health consumers, community partners, and law enforcement.
- K9 Unit: The K9 Unit is composed of handlers and canine partners specializing in patrol functions.
- Federal Task Force Officers: Several SLPD detectives are assigned to federal agencies like the FBI and ATF, as well as the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force, enhancing intelligence and resource sharing through these partnerships.
- Drone Unit: The drone unit aids our operational capabilities by providing real-time aerial views valuable to documenting crime scene as well as event monitoring, risk reduction, and search and rescue.
- Special Response Teams (SRT): This team is especially trained and equipped to respond to civil disturbances and riots.
- Crime Analysts: Our crime analysts perform a variety of tasks, including data analysis, crime trend identification, crime mapping, investigative support, reporting, and intelligence collaboration with other agencies.
- Range Masters: One full-time range master and two part-time range masters develop and conduct firearms training, oversee qualifications, maintain firearms, and keep detailed training records for officers.
The department has also incorporated Emergency Management personnel, who play a role in coordinating responses to natural disasters and other large-scale emergencies.
Additional square footage was added to the building in 2002, but by 2024, the department had expanded to 271 employees—more than double its workforce over the past 28 years. Despite this expansion, the Police Department’s building has not been expanded in order to accommodate staff growth. The amount of space per employee has been reduced to 198 square feet per person—a 61% decrease in available space since the building was first constructed.
- How will the City coordinate timing with other projects to manage the impact of street construction projects on the community, neighborhoods and businesses?
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The City will strategically plan the scheduling of bond street projects to prevent having multiple projects in the same area and at the same time. The goal will be to minimize traffic disruptions and manage the potential impact of construction on the community, neighborhoods, and businesses.
- Project descriptions on some street projects seem general. What is the actual scope of these projects?
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At this stage, projects are still in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed. The initial scope of projects is based on recommendations from traffic studies, the Pavement Management and Maintenance Program (PMMP) and resident feedback.
A thorough planning and design process is currently taking place. More precise information regarding what each project will entail and the expected timelines for completion will be available once these steps are completed.
Community engagement will also take place to include HOA/community meetings (as appropriate), posting of project information online, and direct communication with residents of impacted areas to provide an opportunity to learn about upcoming projects, ask questions, and share their feedback.
- For projects that include the building of sidepaths, what are the initial designs, and which side of the road will they be located?
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At this stage, projects are in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed.
The sidepaths, which will be 8 to 10 feet wide, are planned for the side of the street that will minimize impacts to existing trees and utilities while utilizing the available space most effectively. However, the exact location of the sidepaths cannot be determined until the design phase is completed, when we will have a clearer understanding of all factors involved.
- Will boulevard projects entail their moving and/or reduction similar to Williams Trace? If so, how many existing trees along the streets might be at risk?
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At this stage, projects are still in the early planning phases, which means that detailed information, such as the specific scope, timelines, and design plans have not yet been developed. The initial scope of projects is based on recommendations from traffic studies, the Pavement Management and Maintenance Program (PMMP) and resident feedback.
The City will evaluate each situation individually to determine if tree removal is necessary, and if removal is required, the City will consider planting trees in other locations.
- How long will the projects take and what will be the impact of the road construction on traffic?
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Typically, the design phase takes 10 to 12 months, followed by approximately 12 months for construction.
The City will strategically plan the scheduling of bond street projects to prevent having multiple projects in the same area and at the same time. The goal will be to minimize traffic disruptions and manage the potential impact of construction on the community, neighborhoods, and businesses.
- Trees appear to be a contributing factor to sidewalk safety issues. Will you be cutting them down, or does the bond cover the costs of relocating them?
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The City will evaluate each situation individually to determine if tree removal is necessary. Additionally, the City will consider planting trees in other locations in collaboration with Homeowner Associations (HOAs) and property owners.
- Why was there another drainage specific proposition in the 2024 bond if voters approved drainage projects in 2019?
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Drainage remains a top priority for residents, as highlighted in the most recent citizen satisfaction survey. In response, the City included drainage projects aimed at reducing ponding and flooding in key areas of the City as part of four general obligation bond propositions approved by Sugar Land voters on November 5, 2019.
The 2019 bond package also funded citywide Flood Prevention and Drainage Studies, which played a significant role in identifying the proposed projects for the 2024 bond. Proposition C includes six projects that focus on stormwater management systems, flood control measures, drainage infrastructure, and more.
- How does the City go about making decisions like adding new City facilities?
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The City follows industry standards to evaluate how well its facilities accommodate current and future staffing, equipment, and service levels. This approach ensures the effective use of facilities today while preparing for the future as the city grows and service levels expectations evolve.
In addition, the City utilizes the Facility Master Plan (FMP). The FMP outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. The current version of the plan is currently being updated and is expected to be adopted by early 2025.
This update will include new guidance on deferred maintenance assessments and strategies for future structures and renovations. Once adopted, the plan will help guide decisions related to facility maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization. These decisions will also be informed by a detailed analysis of facility data, including each building’s age, condition, and usage.
- Where does field staff currently perform repairs on the equipment they use?
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Field staff often carry out equipment maintenance using the tailgates of their trucks or working on the ground in parking lots. Larger or more complex repairs are usually sent to external vendors, often resulting in additional costs and reduced equipment availability.
- Why did the City include the modernizing of public buildings in the bond? And what does it mean to modernize a building?
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The City’s Facility Master Plan (FMP) outlines long-term strategies for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing city facilities. The current version of the plan is currently being updated and is expected to be adopted by early 2025.
Modernizing a city facility could entail the rehabilitation of its infrastructure, technology, and design to address how the facility is used today and into the future. This could involve modifications to roofs, walls, and ceilings, electrical, mechanical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
- What is the status of the Animal Shelter that was approved in 2019?
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Sugar Land voters approved $6.6 million on Nov. 5, 2019 to fund the design and construction of a new animal shelter to address projected animal capacity from the city’s growth. The construction of a new Animal Shelter was expected to address projected growth through 2030 and house a total of 70 dogs and 132 cats at any given time. Following approval of the bond election, City Council created a schedule to implement voter-approved projects.
Due to financial constraints caused by the COVID pandemic, the schedule for the delivery of the projects was expanded from three to five years. Drainage and public safety projects were front-loaded in the schedule to address resident priorities as identified in citizen satisfaction surveys.
In 2022, City Council directed staff to study regionalization options to leverage and coordinate regional resources, utilize a broader spectrum of expertise, better meet the needs of Sugar Land’s pet population and improve access and coordination of pet adoptions and placements in the region. Regionalization was determined to be unfeasible at the time due to difficulties in establishing the regional partnerships that would provide value to the effort.
In the fall of 2023, City Council directed staff to resume planning for construction of a standalone City animal shelter. Preliminary engineering work began in early 2024 to evaluate space needs based on revised industry standards for dog housing in shelters (Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guideline for the Standard of Care in Animal Shelters. 2022 update), increased anticipated intake numbers and updated costs due to inflation, facility size and location.
The updated proposed facility is sized to house 80 dogs and 122 cats in approximately 26,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor space.
- What happened to the $6.6 million approved in the 2019 bond for a new animal shelter?
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The $6.6 million in bonds that voters approved in 2019 have not yet been issued. If voters approve the supplemental funding of $12 million in the 2024 bond, both bonds (2019 and 2024) will be issued and combined, along with $2.4 million in donations to be raised through the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation.
- Where would the new animal shelter be located?
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The site has not been finalized, but several city-owned properties have been evaluated. Factors considered in site selection include, centralized location, ease of access, visibility and existing site utilities and amenities. Several existing buildings (public and privately owned) are also being evaluated.
- Why is a fundraising campaign to raise funds for the shelter also taking place? And, if the campaign does not meet fundraising goals, will the shelter not be built?
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Sugar Land voters approved a $6.6 million bond proposition in 2019 to fund the design and construction of a new animal shelter that would address projected animal capacity from the city’s growth. Through the work of the Animal Advisory Board, additional services were identified for inclusion within that facility; as such, a separate capital campaign was undertaken to fund these additional services. That effort was guided by the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation, a group that works on behalf of the city of Sugar Land to promote community investment in large-scale quality of life projects. The proposed facility would have included animal housing, intake/veterinary space, staffing area, public spaces, and space for animal outdoor fitness.
Fundraising efforts for the new shelter were placed on hold while the city explored regionalization in 2022. The fundraising campaign was relaunched at the 2024 State of the City event and continues to be guided by the Sugar Land Legacy Foundation. Funds raised will be managed through a joint committee of Animal Advisory Board members and Legacy Foundation board members. The City Council has directed fundraising efforts of approximately $2.4 million to remain in place – however, the funds do not have to be fully raised ahead of construction beginning on the shelter. Fundraising can continue while the shelter is under construction.
As of the end of May, approximately $135,000 has been raised for construction of the new shelter.
- What are the differences between the 2019 proposed shelter and the one being proposed in 2024?
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The 2019 shelter was based on a 2016 study and was expected to house a total of 70 dogs and 132 cats within approx. 20,000 square-feet of indoor & outdoor space. The shelter budget was $9 million with $6.6 million from the bonds and $2.4 million from donations.
Preliminary engineering work began in early 2024 to evaluate space needs based on revised industry standards for dog housing in shelters (Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guideline for the Standard of Care in Animal Shelters. 2022 update), increased anticipated intake numbers and updated costs due to inflation, facility size and location.
The updated proposed facility is sized to house 80 dogs and 122 cats in approximately 26,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor space. Estimated cost is approximately $20 million in 2024 dollars.