2017 Annual Report: Focusing on the Future
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  • Creating a Safe
  • Healthy
  • Livable
  • Prosperous
  • Well-Governed Community
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​Building a New Public Animal Shelter

PictureA rendering of the new SLO County animal shelter.
The design and construction of a new public animal shelter in San Luis Obispo County moved forward last year. This project is unique because it’s the County’s first-ever design-build project, which is a more cost-effective and efficient way of constructing public facilities.

When the County typically works on a new construction project, it takes the “design-bid-build” approach, which requires the County to first hire an architect to design the project, then go out to bid for proposals from firms to build the project. In this “design-build” approach, the County only has to hire one firm who is responsible for both designing and building the project. This can save both time and money and ensures that there is a single point of responsibility, minimizing risk.
   
Finding a Formula That Works for Everyone
In February 2017, all seven cities agreed to participate in the project, which includes shared costs estimated to be about $13.7 million. The County agreed to manage the contract but work with the cities each step of the way and the cities agreed to pay for a portion of the overall project in order serve the needs of their constituents. That month, the County Board of Supervisors approved a contract with construction management firm Kitchell to manage the architectural and construction services of the new shelter. 

However, in October 2017, the cities of Atascadero and Paso Robles announced that they planned to withdraw from the agreement, citing concerns with costs. The Board quickly created an ad hoc committee, which consisted of Board Chairperson John Peschong and District 5 Supervisors Debbie Arnold, to meet with city representatives and address their concerns. By December 2017, the committee reported that the two North County cities were considering rejoining the agreement. 

“I think that the meeting went very well with the cities,” Supervisor Arnold reported to the Board on December 5, 2017. “We’ve got them back at the table and are hoping that we can come up with a formula that everyone will be happy with, so that the County can continue providing [animal] services countywide.”

The County provides animal services for the entire region, including all seven incorporated cities. In managing the shelter to house and care for stray and owner-relinquished animals, the County provides animal care, animal abuse investigations, and animal control services for each of the cities and the unincorporated areas. At the animal shelter, the County provides services to all kinds of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, goats, pigs, birds, and reptiles.

​If the cities Atascadero and Paso Robles rejoin the agreement, the new shelter will continue to serve all cities in San Luis Obispo County as it currently does today. But if the cities do not rejoin the agreement, the County will no longer provide those services within the city limits of Atascadero and Paso Robles. Discussion continues with the cities of Atascadero and Paso Robles to address their concerns with the project and encourage their involvement.

Why is a New Animal Shelter Needed?
The existing animal shelter, located on Highway 1 between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, is the only public open intake animal shelter in San Luis Obispo County and receives approximately 4,500 animals annually. 

Industry standards and public expectations of animal shelters have shifted substantially since the shelter was built in 1975. The facility is now outdated or inconsistent with the current understanding of humane animal sheltering. The current shelter has a variety of structural problems including a leaky roof, deteriorating walls and door frames, and overloaded drainage systems. It also doesn’t meet new codes required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

“Unfortunately, the costs to fix the existing facility are so great that it makes more sense to replace the building,” said Assistant County Administrative Officer Guy Savage said in a statement in February 2017. “We hope to build a new facility that will better benefit the animals in our care and encourage more people to visit and adopt animals or reclaim their lost pets.”

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SAFE
Assisting Victims of Crime
Changes at County Jail

Efficient Emergency Efforts
New Cadet Training
New Cyber Forensic Lab
New Forensic Pathologist

New Vehicle Extraction Tools
Preparing for Active Shooters at Local Schools
Protecting SLO County Kids
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Protecting Vulnerable Adults
​Training County Firefighters
Transforming Young Lives
HEALTHY
Aiding Vulnerable Adults
​Bikes for Holidays
Building an Animal Shelter
Empowering Local Teens
Finding Alternatives to Pesticides

Easier In-Home Care
Promoting Oral Health
Protecting Agriculture

Protecting SLO County Kids
Reconnecting Families in 2017
Stepping Up Together
Stopping Outbreaks
Supporting Local Veterans

Transforming Young Lives
LIVABLE
A Plan for El Chorro Park
Bob Jones Trail Updates
Clerk-Recorder: By the Numbers
Developing Cannabis Regulations
Improving Everyday Lives
Lifelong Learning in 4-H
Moving Us Forward
New Airport Terminal
New Community Park
No. 1 Child Support Services in CA
Paving the Way for Housing
Protecting Local Oaks
SLO Library Renovation
Sugar Bear's Story
​Switching to Electronic Documents
PROSPEROUS
A Career Pathway for Youth
​Airport Passenger Numbers Soar
Digitizing Public Records
Enforcing Vacation Rental Laws in SLO County
Filming in SLO County
From Foster Care to Adulthood
Helping Families Be Self-Sufficient
Large Impact on Local Vets
More Affordable Housing
​Most In-Demand Jobs
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New County Website

New Airport Terminal
Protecting Agriculture
Supporting Local Veterans

OTHER RELATED REPORTS
2017 County/State Legislative Report​
Affordable Housing Fund Annual Report
Assessor’s Annual Reports
Child Welfare Services Statistical Reports
Civil Service Commission Annual Report
Crop Reports

General Plan Annual Report

​Mental Health Services Act Annual Update
Sheriff’s Annual Reports
Social Services Semi-Annual Report
Status of SLO County Women
Tourism Marketing District Annual Report
Vital Signs 2016 Comprehensive Report
FINANCIAL REPORTS
​2016-17 Financial Report

County Budget

Quarterly Financial Report

Location

County Government Center
1055 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

ABOUT THIS REPORT

This website serves as a general report on the status of the County of San Luis Obispo in 2017. The County Administrative Office works with all County departments each year to produce and publish the annual report and presents to the Board of Supervisors and the public at a meeting the early the following year. The reports are published solely online to save costs. All previous annual reports can be reviewed on the County's main website at www.slocounty.ca.gov. 

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www.slocounty.ca.gov
​County Phone Directory: 805-781-5000

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