Missouri City taxpayers could be on the hook for $900,000 in the upcoming fiscal year to address a deteriorating animal shelter, with a bigger ask potentially following in a future bond election.

Interim City Manager Allen Bogard proposed the funding at the City Council's Aug. 10 budget workshop, according to a city press release published Friday, Aug. 14. A building assessment found the Animal Services Building has deteriorated over the years, leaving the city with three paths forward: renovate the existing facility, replace it entirely or contract shelter services to a third party.

Mayor Robin J. Elackatt and council members supported including the $900,000 in the proposed FY 2027 budget but did not choose among the three options. The money covers preliminary costs for short-term facility improvements and proposed contractual services, though the city has not released a breakdown between those two categories.

The city said the funding will give council several months to analyze shelter options before voting on an implementation plan in the new year.

Animal Services field officers who respond to calls in the community would not be affected under any of the options.

A new shelter is also penciled into Missouri City's five-year Capital Improvements Plan, submitted as part of the proposed budget. That long-term project would serve as the basis for a future bond election, meaning voters would ultimately decide whether to fund a replacement facility. Missouri City still has $30 million in authorized but unissued bonds from a 2021 voter-approved package.

The shelter question comes after Stafford's City Council voted 7-0 on March 19, 2025, to terminate its interlocal agreement with Missouri City for joint use of the facility, switching instead to the Houston Humane Society. Missouri City now bears the full operational cost alone.

Council first flagged the need for shelter improvements at a June 29 preliminary budget session, as we reported Aug. 12. The full FY 2027 budget document is scheduled to be posted on the city's website Aug. 31, with council expected to adopt the budget in September. The fiscal year begins Oct. 1.