Discuss, consider, and take action on authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Georgetown and the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Member Governments to add Georgetown as a party to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter Interlocal Agreement.

This MOU is the first of two approvals required to add the City of Georgetown to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS).  The Interlocal Agreement (ILA) will come back for action after all members approve the MOU and Georgetown receives clearance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office regarding issuance of their voter approved General Obligation debt.  This MOU was approved by the Georgetown City Council on March 12, 2024.
 
Background:
Williamson County and the Cities of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Hutto and Leander formed the WCRAS in 2006.  This regional partnership has allowed effective management of animals county-wide while reducing costs for each partner due to economies of scale.  In 2016, the WCRAS members approved its first expansion.
 
Proposed ILA Revision:
The proposed ILA, attached as Exhibit A to the MOU, will allow Georgetown to join the partnership.  The terms include the City of Georgetown wholly funding a $15 million expansion of the WCRAS facility that is expected to provide capacity for all members through 2035.  Georgetown will also begin making its pro rata share of O&M payments, approximately 15%, likely slightly lowering Williamson County’s annual O&M cost.  Georgetown will also pay an additional equity buy-in totaling approximately $2 million over the next 10 years.  Finally, Georgetown plans to lease its current animal shelter to WCRAS for use during the construction of the expansion.
 
Adding Georgetown and the expanded capacity will require no additional funds from Williamson County and provide capacity for future growth.