by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

04-29-25

At the Monday, April 28th Uvalde County Commissioners Court meeting, BARC Uvalde President Kelley Kimble reported that she has been informed completion of the new facility to house the organization’s animal shelter as well as space for the Uvalde City Pound and County animals is 60 days out from completion,

Kimble proposed that under a plan presented to the commissioners, the County would have space available for animals picked up in the County and if the County approved the proposal to allocate $5000 prepayment to the shelter, the county could bring in approximately 65 animals. Kimble suggested the County prioritize animal bite cases, quarantined animals, injured animals and aggressive dogs.

Animals that are immediately put down would not count towards the animal allotment. BARC Board member Heather Ruble followed Kimble and spoke on the work that is happening at the new facility and that BARC has partnered with a mobile vet to provide low cost spay/neuter services made available to approved low-income families. The mobile vet visits the area once a month.

The Uvalde County Commissioners Court took no action on the agenda item.

03-27-25

by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

Top  Picture: BARC Board President Kelley Kimble presents a proposal to the City for operations funding and use of the new facility

   After a lengthy discussion, the City of Uvalde City Council approved an agreement with the Briscoe Animal Resource Center, BARC, providing annual funding for utilities and per diem city animals brought in. The agreement will be renewable every five years for four years with an exit clause in the agreement.

   Opposing concern included the needs for providing infrastructure in other areas of the town, such as sidewalks and infrastructure. However, the city was faced with the prospect of improving its current city pound facilities, which could have cost upwards of several hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 In 2023, the Uvalde City Council agreed to provide the nonprofit organization BARC with $500,000 towards construction of the $3 million facility.

  Citizen Simon Ortiz and Uvalde City Councilman Ernest Santos stated that by the city taking that step they were in effect committing the city to the partnership with BARC including participation in expenses.

  Uvalde City Mayor Hector Luevano stated that he believes there were many in town that had no idea the city had previously agreed to provide BARC with $500,000 despite others claiming that it had been published in the local print newspaper.

 

 

 

 

 

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

03-25-25

Uvalde County Commissioners Court met on Monday, March 25th, 2025:

Diana Olvedo-Karau questions commissioners on details of its county animal control budget.

Texas Hill Country River Region Executive Director Hailey Conrad projects 20% reduction in area tourism if drought conditions persist. She went on to say that if the drought conditions persist, the HOT Tax entity also known as Visit Uvalde County plans on focusing its marketing efforts in promoting off-season events and activities.

Court approves adoption of Capt family-initiated Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone plan following suit with the City of Uvalde.

 A new county wide animal control order was approved Monday morning, February 27th by Uvalde County Commissioners to give the County’s animal rescue organizations better control over the stray dog problem. Prior to the new order, the only laws pertaining to stray animals in the County were from the Common Law of Texas. 

  Kelley Kimble Associate Judge at Office of Court Administration of Uvalde, Texas, spoke to the court on behalf of the new order. 

  According to Kimble the new order pertaining to stray dogs in the county is needed as under the common law of Texas, the owner of a stray animal retains ownership of the stray animal. Kimble stated that Flights to Forever already takes in strays. 

  Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell said, “This gives you the mechanism to do this. It’s not creating a department.”

  The new order provides an additional legal framework for Briscoe Animal Resource Center of Uvalde BARC and Flights to Furever  to follow. 

Agenda Packet for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10am (1) 10 Agenda Packet for Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10am (1) 11