The Apple Valley Town Council’s message is that council members are still gathering information regarding the potential sale of its animal shelter to San Bernardino County.
Meanwhile, many residents have voiced concern over the town’s involvement with the county.
Council members on Tuesday were scheduled to approve the second amendment to the county’s contract for animal services at the Apple Valley Animal Shelter at 22131 Powhatan Road.
However, the council chose not to discuss the shelter’s fate until all facts and potential contract terms were completed and until the item was agendized for a future meeting.
Expressing interest
Before the council discussed the shelter, Town Manager Doug Robertson clarified that he’s “not been directed to negotiate the sale of the shelter to the county.”
Robert emphasized that the county “has expressed interest” in the shelter, and that he’s been directed to work with them on the “potential terms and conditions” of a sale, but the “council has not made a decision on that.”
Robertson added that town and county attorneys are working out minor details, with the agenda item expected to return to the council within the next 60 days.
Mayor Pro Tem Curt Emick and Councilman Art Bishop agreed they need more time to review information before deciding.
The council members also said they’d like to hear more feedback from residents about the shelter’s possible fate.
What have residents said about potential shelter sale?
During public comments, residents pleaded with the council not to sell the shelter or to extend the contract with them.
Stephanie James asked the council to research the county-run shelter in Devore along with its policy and procedures, which she claims are contrary to those at the Apple Valley shelter.
James asked the council if they’ve offered a survey to residents about the shelter issue.
The majority of residents are “against the sale and losing control of our animal shelter,” James said. “The survey I’ve seen said the majority of residents are against the sale and want it on the ballot.”
James also asked the council if they’ve been “negatively influenced by out-of-area paid activists,” who have “consistently bashed the animal shelter over the last few years.”
She believes the Apple Valley shelter is run “more professionally” than the county shelters, which she claims have “lower standards and a high kill rate.” James also asked the council to cancel the contract with the county.
A woman who identified herself as a shelter employee asked the council not to sell the shelter. She also claimed the Apple Valley shelter is suffering due to a lack of upkeep because of the negotiations between the town and the county.
She claimed that the shelter is understaffed, is overcapacity, has reduced services and denied new hires to fill positions as promised.
What are the terms of the shelter contract?
After 12 years of service, the town has decided not to renew the annual contract to provide shelter services to the county.
Robertson said it was a 10-year contract plus three one-year automatic renewals.
The matter is still undecided and expected to come before the council and the supervisors within the next 60 days, however, the current agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2025, staff stated.
The agreement would extend the current contract for six months to Dec. 31, 2025.
Should either board ultimately decide against the sale, indicating a preference to move forward separately providing shelter services for respective populations, either side would have the ability to issue a 30-day notice of termination.
Upon termination, all county animals at the Apple Valley Animal Shelter would remain the responsibility of the town’s shelter.
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Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley residents ask council not to sell animal shelter to San Bernardino County
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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