Town terminates contract for humane education facility after donor requests refund | Collierville Independent

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen has agreed to terminate a construction contract for a humane education facility intended for Collierville Animal Services.

Board members unanimously agreed to halt the contract Monday night during their regularly scheduled meeting at the request of Chip Petersen, director of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.

In June, board members approved a construction contract for $874,000 with Jaycon Development Corporation.

At the time, the town had $970,941 in donations for the project.

However, the primary donor contacted town officials after bids were awarded for the project and stated that “she intended her donation be used exclusively for a surgery center,” which was not included in the final plan of the project.

“Staff drafted a possible revision to the plans to include a smaller version of the entire facility with a surgery area and humane education area in the same building,” said Petersen. “However, with uncertainty over the costs and construction schedule, a refund was requested.”

The town recently refunded the money to the donor. The remaining funds for the project total $254,555, which is not enough to proceed with either facility.

Petersen said the town’s Animal Services Division will continue to pursue funding for both facilities.