This story was updated at 3:38 on July 31. Pflugerville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to put the option for a new $10.7 million animal shelter before voters in a November bond election. City staff, a city bond committee and an animal shelter technical committee made up of residents and city staff recommended the shelter—although the bond committee recommended a $9.5 million option, Assistant City Manager Trey Fletcher said. Pflugerville residents and animal shelter volunteers put their names on public record both in favor of and in opposition to the project on July 28. In addition to providing more kennels, the shelter proposal includes a two-office police substation, a community meeting room and a basic vet clinic with the capability to spay and neuter animals and provide general wellness care, said Lt. Laura Wilkes, who oversees the shelter for the Pflugerville Police Department. Wilkes noted the shelter plans are preliminary and will go through a review process. Resident Gary Robertson said the city should make funding resources for seniors a priority over animal control projects. “Is a dog worth more than a senior? This city is growing in senior population and we need to have something addressed for our seniors,” Robertson said. “I see no need to build a new animal shelter. All we need to do is [update] the one we have. I really feel Pflugerville is letting the seniors down and we need to address this issue.” Mayor Jeff Coleman said the new shelter’s cost would break down to approximately $975 per animal taken into the new shelter and, by contrast, the city spends approximately $415 per person in its senior programs. “I cannot vote to spend $11 million on a new animal shelter when we have not taken care of other vulnerable members of our community,” Coleman said prior to the council’s vote. “For me, people are the priority.” Resident Barbara Woodworth said she supports the new animal shelter option and is glad the item will be present on the November ballot. “I’m very glad the voters will have a chance to decide,” she said. “We’ve tried not to propose a Taj Mahal but a shelter that will grow as the city is growing.” Council Member Victor Gonzales voiced approval of the animal shelter proposal prior to the council's vote. “I think it's time for us as a city to give the citizens an opportunity to decide whether Pflugerville is at that crossroad to embrace an animal shelter that I would call a 'Class A' animal shelter,” he said. “I think this animal shelter will be an excellent asset to the community.” City Council also unanimously voted for a $9.5 million bond election item that would expand the Weiss Lane reconstruction project into a four-lane divided roadway.