Missouri City's City Council backed $900,000 for the city's deteriorating animal shelter at an Aug. 10 budget workshop, funding that would cover short-term repairs and potential contract services in the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

Interim City Manager Allen Bogard proposed the spending. The money would cover short-term facility improvements and potential contractual services while council members weigh longer-term options, the city said in an Aug. 14 press release.

An assessment of the current Animal Services Building found the facility has deteriorated over the years. Council members will consider whether to renovate, replace or contract out shelter services, then vote on a plan in 2027.

The city stressed that no final decision was made at the workshop. Animal services field operations will not change under the proposal.

A new animal shelter is also included in the city's five-year Capital Improvements Plan, submitted alongside the proposed budget. That plan would serve as the basis for a future bond election, putting the long-term funding question to voters.

Council's support at the workshop is not a formal appropriation. The FY2027 budget is scheduled for adoption in September, in accordance with state law. The fiscal year begins in October.

The shelter discussion first surfaced at a June 29 special meeting, where council members discussed the need for improvements but took no action, according to meeting records.

A Change.org petition filed Aug. 12 by a volunteer rescue coordinator asks council to pause any plan to close or outsource the shelter until residents receive complete information and a chance for public input.

The budget proposal also includes a maximum property tax rate of $0.578363 per $100 of assessed value, a 1.32% increase over the $0.570825 rate held for the past three years, as we reported Aug. 30. Chief Financial Officer Rhonda Smith said a home with an average taxable value of $334,958 would see an annual increase of $45, Community Impact reported.

If the $900,000 is approved in September, the city said it will bring detailed cost breakdowns and data to future council meetings before a final decision on how to run the shelter.