Iowa City officials are moving forward on plans to build a new area animal shelter.

City Manager Tom Markus has submitted a Requests for Qualification to architecture and engineering firms to design the shelter. The current shelter is in a temporary location because the old facility was destroyed by the 2008 flood.

While funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not yet secured, city officials believe they will receive the funds for the project, said Rick Fosse, the director of Iowa City’s Public Works.

The city manager’s office compiled research from 14 cities similar to Iowa City and their animal control policies to present to City Council at its Oct. 3 work session.

In fiscal 2010, Iowa City spent $374,357 for animal services. Property taxes supported 68 percent of that amount.

— by Asmaa Elkeurti