By Peter H. Milliken

milliken@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Mahoning County officials have launched a project designed to increase the county’s dog sheltering capacity and improve the quality of life for the dogs.

On Friday, they conducted the long-awaited groundbreaking for the new $3.8 million, state-of-the-art Mahoning County dog shelter on a 7-acre site at 1230 N. Meridian Road, near the interchanges of Interstate 80 and Interstate 680.

The new 14,212-square-foot shelter will replace the existing 40-year-old, 9,000-square-foot county dog pound on Industrial Road.

The new single-story shelter will be able to house between 80 and 90 dogs, compared with the current pound’s capacity of 50 to 60 dogs.

Unlike the current pound, the new shelter will have separate areas for large dogs, small dogs and puppies.

The new shelter will include a section to isolate animals with kennel cough, parvo and other diseases to minimize their spread.

The groundbreaking followed demolition of the former Jump Stretch Fitness Center, a sign and a house.

Besides nearly $3.2 million for construction and related costs, the project cost includes $335,519 for architectural and engineering fees, and $335,066 for land acquisition.

The project architect is Copich Architects Inc. of Liberty, and the general contractor is Vendrick Construction Inc. of Brookfield.

Other contractors are University Electric Inc. of Youngstown for electrical work, the Conti Corp. of Lowellville for plumbing and D & G Mechanical of West Middlesex, Pa., for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

“Hopefully, a year from now, we’ll gather here again to celebrate the shelter’s grand opening,” said Architect Helen Copich Durflinger.

Money committed to the project so far includes $1 million the county borrowed in the bond market, $400,000 from the county dog and kennel fund, a $100,000 donation from philanthropist Tony Lariccia of Boardman and an anonymous $10,000 donation.

The dog and kennel fund is derived from dog-license fees and fines for dog-law violations.

After expenses to date, including land acquisition and demolition costs, just more than $1 million remains in the capital fund for the project.

The county will borrow an additional $2 million in the bond market and $750,000 in a short-term note for the project.

Some $90,000 annually from dog-license fees will go toward the project debt payments.

“I’m borrowing more than what I need to borrow,” to allow for unforeseen expenses, said Audrey Tillis, the county commissioners’ executive director.

“There’s no general fund dollars utilized for this project. You know, it’s not tax dollars. All of the bonds that are taken out on the construction to pay for this are all paid back by the fees that are collected for dog licenses and dog tags, so this is a self-funded project,” Commissioner David Ditzler told the crowd.

However, Tillis acknowledged after the groundbreaking that tax dollars will initially be used to pay down the new dog shelter debt, but those tax dollars will be reimbursed from dog-license fees and donations.

Friends of Fido, a non-profit advocacy organization for the welfare of dogs housed in the Mahoning County shelter, has launched a fundraising campaign for the project.

Donation checks designated for “new dog shelter” may be made payable to the Mahoning County Treasurer’s Office or Friends of Fido, said Dog Warden Dianne Fry. All donations are tax-deductible.

Trish Collins of Poland, president of Friends of Fido, said prospective donors may call her at (330) 717-2151.

The public should support the new shelter because the current shelter’s roof leaks; the building has poor drainage and “there’s not enough room,” she said.

The current dog pound generated $711,380 in revenue from fees, donations and other sources last year, Tillis said.

The dog warden’s office has a $752,940 operating budget for this year, which is derived from dog-license fees, fines for dog law violations, charges for services, and donations.

The dog warden’s office does not receive money from the county’s general fund.

Fry said she isn’t sure how operating the new building will affect her budget. However, she said the new building will be energy efficient and easy to clean, with every dog run having its own drain.

“My budget isn’t necessarily going to increase,” she said.

Friday’s groundbreaking occurred two years and four months after the April 1, 2014, auction of the Jump Stretch building and land.