Project Overview

To achieve a more fair, balanced, and accurate cost sharing allocation for animal sheltering and impound services provided for eight partner municipalities by the Riverdale Animal Shelter, a new cost recovery model for assessing fees was developed by the Adams County Budget and Animal Shelter teams, with guidance from the County Managers Office. The new fee model was approved by the BoCC in Q3, 2024. As Phase 2 of this project, a work plan and internal work group has been established to develop and execute a process for communicating and negotiating with municipal partners to reach agreement for the new fee structure, with intended implementation in Q1 of 2026. ​

Why it matters?

The animal shelter has continued to experience significant increases in animal intakes resulting in an increase in costs for staffing, utilities, and operational supplies. An evaluation of the current IGA fee structure in 2024 identified shelter costs are not being proportionally allocated, and service fees are not being proportionally assessed to the municipalities served through the current IGAs. The shelter provides critical care and housing to thousands of companion animals each year, many of which are connected to Adams County residents. The intention of this project is to ensure the animal shelter can meet ever-growing operational demand to deliver essential animals services through fiscally responsible and appropriately allocated cost recovery for animal services provided to the municipalities. ​

Percent Complete

55%

Estimated Completion Date

12/31/2026