Davis County Commission approves $21.4M animal care facility contract, 2-1

The Board of Davis County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Oct. 27 to approve a contract amendment of $21,408,069 with Layton Construction Company that sets the guaranteed maximum price for building the county's new animal care facility. Commissioners Lorene Kamalu and Bob J. Stevenson voted yes. Commissioner John Crofts voted no. ^[1][2]

The agenda listed the item as an amendment to an existing contract with Layton Construction, recommended by Facilities Director Lane Rose, with a payable amount of $21,408,069. The terms run from Oct. 27, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028. A county staff member told the commission the item was "many, many years in the coming," with official conversations probably starting five or more years ago. ^[1][2]

Kamalu said the figure reflects work in the feasibility study and efforts by staff and the former animal care director to bring costs down without ending up with a building that could not serve the county. She said the county is required by state law to provide animal services and that the project touches public health and public safety. She thanked Animal Care Director Michelle Hicks, who started in August 2025, and her team. ^[2]

Crofts said he recognized the work behind the project but was the dissenter. He said the site is in a high-hazard earthquake area and that he is concerned it also borders the wildland-urban interface, where he said legislation introduced by state Rep. Schneider could lead to higher insurance rates for buildings in areas of higher wildfire risk. He said no buildings in Davis County appeared on the list he referred to, but that the list can change. ^[2]

Crofts first moved to delay the item until the new commission takes office in January. The motion did not get a second. Stevenson then moved to approve the item as presented, Kamalu seconded, and the roll call vote followed. ^[2]

A guaranteed maximum price is the construction cost set after a project's bids are returned. ^[1]

The commission also approved a memorandum of understanding with the county's senior services volunteer program to help at Davis County Animal Care, and a veterinary services contract, at the same meeting. ^[1][3]

At a March 31 commission meeting, a public commenter said, "We the people ... disagree on the veterinary hospital being built on or next to the fault line." ^[4]