Mohave County Board of Supervisors will discuss and possibly vote to implement a new kennel ordinance as well as possibly vote to accept the initial $80,000 portion of a state grant that will be used to jumpstart the construction of an 18-space RV park in Hualapai Mountain Park.

The kennel ordinance has caught the attention of several county residents as it has made its way through the county’s committee process. The new ordinance is much more detailed — and long overdue, according to one county supervisor.

“The committee reviewed several other ordinances from the Federal Animal Welfare Act, United States Humane Society and other local jurisdictions,” said Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, R-Dist. 3, on Sunday. “They had a wide variety of people on the committee, including (county) planning and zoning commissioners, environmental health and development services, the sheriff’s department, Western Arizona Humane Society, and the county attorney’s office. I think they have put together a pretty fair ordinance, which I think was pretty long overdue.”

The proposed ordinance defines a kennel as any facility or premise that houses five or more dogs 4 months or older, or breeds more than two litters per year regardless of the number of dogs. The ordinance would pertain to animal care facilities, sanctuaries, animal shelters and animal rescue facilities, according to county documents.

The new ordinance would require kennel operators to obtain permits from different county agencies dependent on a kennel classification system. The permits are accompanied by annual county health department inspections.

The ordinance encompasses residential kennels, which allows no more than four dogs in a non-commercial kennel at or adjoining a private residence; breeding kennels, which produces no more than that two litters in any 12-month period; non-residential kennels, which are all kennels not allowed as residential kennels; a cattery, which houses 10 or more cats 4 months or older; a short-term facility, in which animals are kept for one month or less; and a long-term facility in which animals are kept for longer than one month.

The ordinance also spells out kennel size requirements, separation and co-mingling of animals, flooring and wall requirements, drainage, light and ventilation specifications. It also outlines toilet and hand-washing facilities, outdoor facilities, food and food preparation limitations, cleaning and disinfecting, disposal methods, euthanasia and record keeping, according to county documents.

The $100,000 Off Highway Vehicle Sticker grant was awarded to Mohave County April 5. Supervisors will vote to accept the initial $80,000 during Tuesday’s general meeting and will move forward with the project.

According to county documents, costs associated with the project include $74,000 for construction of 18 camping/parking spaces; $3,000 for construction of a 12-foot by 10-foot ramada; $32,000 for gravel resurfacing of the access road and parking areas; and $1,000 for signs.

Mohave County will provide up to $10,000 of the project costs. As is typical with state grants, a county match clause is included in the agreement and can include staff time, volunteer time, the purchase of eligible scope items, materials from county stock or cash expenditures, according to county documents.

The project’s estimated completion date is June 30, 2011. The county also is required to maintain and keep the completed project available for public use for 15 years from the date of completion.

Johnson said his only concern would be water availability in that area and if the county could potentially face park closures during the 15 years because of lack of water.

The Board of Supervisors will meet 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the Board of Supervisors Auditorium at the Mohave County Administrative Offices, 700 W. Beale St. in Kingman.

You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.