Kyle, Hays County, and Buda Formalize Agreement for Animal Care Facility

KYLE, TEXAS –– On Tuesday, January 20 Kyle City Council approved an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for a new Animal Care Facility in partnership with Hays County and the City of Buda. 

Currently, the City of Kyle contracts with the City of San Marcos for animal services and sheltering. In August 2024, the City of San Marcos announced that the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter would no longer serve as the regional animal shelter and intake for Hays County by late 2026.  

In preparation, City of Kyle leadership and staff began planning and designing a municipal animal shelter to maintain service and meet regulatory standards, partnering with Jackson & Ryan Architects to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, feasibility study, site evaluation, and conceptual design. The study confirmed the need for a modern facility capable of supporting both current and future animal control and sheltering demands.  

The City then entered into discussions with Hays County and the City of Buda, leading to two Memorandums of Understanding, one with Hays County in August 2025 and one with Buda in October of 2025, establishing shared goals and preliminary commitments for a joint facility.  

Following these agreements, staff from all three entities worked together to draft the formal ILA. The ILA reflects months of collaboration and legal review and represents a significant step toward securing a modern, regional solution for animal care services. The Hays County Commissioners Court approved the ILA on January 6, 2026. 

“This agreement and the planned facility represent a critical investment in animal care services for our community. As the historic growth continues in our region, the City must proactively address both current and future needs,” said Kyle Assistant City Manager Jesse Elizondo. “This new facility positions us to responsibly care for animals in our jurisdiction while enhancing public health, safety, and overall quality of life for our residents.” 

Under the ILA, the City of Kyle will retain full ownership and operational control of the facility, including staffing, policy, and budget management. Hays County and Buda will contribute to both capital funding and operating costs with initial capital shares set at 64.5% for Hays County, 32.7% for Kyle, and 2.8% for Buda. Operating costs will be set at 64.5% for Hays County, 33.1% for Kyle, and 2.4% for Buda and recalculated annually based on actual usage.  

During Tuesday’s meeting, Council also approved a $1.6 million design contract with Jackson & Ryan Architects for the Animal Care Facility. The design contract will translate the full feasibility study into final design with construction to follow in Fiscal Year 2026-27.