Title
Consider a resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Second Amendment and Restatement of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Interlocal Agreement to add Georgetown as a full member of the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter
Body
This Interlocal Agreement (ILA) is the second of two Council approvals required to add the City of Georgetown to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS). A MOU was executed with Council approval in May 2024 which set forth the intention for the City of Georgetown to join the original member governments as a full member of the WCRAS. The Office of the Attorney General has now signed off on Georgetown moving forward with the issuance of bonds for the expansion of the shelter. The City of Georgetown approved this ILA on April 8 with the rest of the WCRAS-member cities scheduled to consider the ILA in mid- to late-April.
Williamson County and the Cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto, and Leander formed the WCRAS in 2006. This regional partnership has allowed effective management of animals county-wide while reducing costs for each partner due to economies of scale. In 2016, the WCRAS members approved its first expansion.
The ILA, attached as Exhibit A, will allow Georgetown to join the partnership. The terms include the City of Georgetown wholly funding a $15 million expansion of the WCRAS facility that is expected to provide capacity of all members through 2035. Georgetown will also begin making its pro rata share of O&M payments, approximately 15%, likely slightly lowering Round Rock’s annual O&M cost. Georgetown will also pay an additional M&O equalization fee. Finally, Georgetown plans to lease its current animal shelter to WCRAS for use during the construction of the expansion.
Adding Georgetown and the expanded capacity will require no additional funds from Round Rock and will provide capacity for future growth. Staff recommends approval.