New animal control facility to cost $485K

RUSSELLVILLE — A new county animal control facility is set to be built next to the Franklin County Jail with construction expected to begin by month’s end, Franklin County Commissioner Greg Hovater said.

The county commission approved a $485,000 contract with Hovater Metal Works in December 2024.

Hovater said he hopes the project will be finished in about three months.

Hovater, who owns Hovater Metal Works, abstained from votes on both the contract and the resolution authorizing use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the project.

He said he contacted the Alabama Ethics Commission beforehand and was told the arrangement was permissible as long as the work was publicly bid.

The county received sealed bids in November 2024 and identified Hovater Metal Works as the lowest responsible bid.

Barry Moore, probate judge and chair of the county commission, said foundation issues at the current animal control facility helped drive the county’s decision to move forward with the project.

Hovater said the current building has dropped enough that gaps can be seen in parts of the structure.

Commissioners have discussed the need for a new facility for several years, Moore said, and the availability of the ARPA funding was “the deciding factor.”

Moore said the county chose the site because it already owned the property. He said the site’s proximity to the jail could also allow inmates to help keep the facility clean.

The commission approved using up to $300,793.08 in remaining ARPA funds for the project with the balance of the contract to come from other available county funds.

The county approved design services for the project in May 2024, according to the resolution authorizing the use of ARPA funds.

“It is definitely something that’s been needed for a long time,” Hovater said.

Jason Baggett, county engineer, said the county highway department has completed site preparation for the project. Crews cleared the site, built up the concrete pad, handled the grading and drainage work, installed entrance pipes and completed about 600 feet of sewer line extension.

He said the metal prefab building has already been delivered to the site.

Animal Control Officer Joey Wingo said the current facility holds about 20 animals comfortably. The new facility should hold roughly 60 to 80, depending on the size of the dogs, he said.

The current facility does not offer adoptions, Wingo said, although he said they sometimes work with rescue organizations to place animals.

He said state law requires stray dogs to be held for seven days, although some can stay longer if space allows.

Wingo said the new facility should provide more room to separate animals, including space for quarantine and indooroutdoor kennel access.