Hays County commissioners on April 8 voted unanimously to create an Animal Welfare Services division within the Hays County Health Department, authorize initial staffing and reconstitute a county Pet Resource Center committee to negotiate partners and siting for a regional pet resource center.

The move follows the termination of an outside contract that had been providing several animal-services functions and months of public comment pressing the county for an organized, county-led approach. Commissioner Smith said the new division will “provide roots” for a coordinated county response and give the county “oversight” when negotiating with nonprofit and municipal partners.

Matthew Gonzales, director of the Hays County Health Department, told the court the county can use existing contract dollars more efficiently by moving services in-house. Gonzales said the proposed start-up would hire a division manager, case-management staff and client-facing services such as a call center, and that the county’s projected monthly cost would be slightly less than the month-to-month invoices under the prior contractor, leaving room to purchase additional contractual veterinary services if needed.

“This proposal relies on continued partnership with APA, PALS and other local pet resources,” Gonzales said. “Everyone brings different strengths; a county coordinator will organize that work and reduce duplication.”

Several commissioners emphasized partnership rather than building a standalone county shelter. Judge Becerra and Commissioner Hammer urged the county to pursue partnerships with cities and existing nonprofits and to explore expanding municipal capacity instead of immediately funding a new county facility.

Public commenters and animal-welfare advocates who spoke at the meeting urged a rapid transition from the contractor model. Kate Shaw, who volunteers with local animal-welfare groups, said she supports creating an in-house division “that follows best practices” and pairs community-minded programming with a pet resource center.

The court also took two committee actions tied to the pet-resource effort: it designated Commissioners Cohen and Inglesby to negotiate with the city of Kyle on a potential joint approach and reconstituted the Pet Resource Center Committee to include Commissioners Cohen and Inglesby, purchasing director Stephanie Hunt and the new county manager for animal welfare once hired. The motion to reconstitute the committee further named Matthew Gonzales as the interim county representative until the manager is in place. All votes on these items were unanimous.

Judge Becerra cautioned that, given market volatility and debt discussions elsewhere in the meeting, the court should prioritize partnerships and avoid an expensive new build unless it proved necessary. Several commissioners agreed, saying the county should “leave no stone unturned” when evaluating city-owned sites and nonprofit partners.

The court directed staff to prepare a staffing plan, draft an eligibility-based service model for residents who need veterinary care, and begin negotiating contracts with veterinary providers and local partners. Commissioners also asked staff to accelerate work on countywide animal-control policies to ensure municipalities and county deputies operate from a shared framework.

The court recorded the motions by roll call. The items passed with all five members voting yes.