BATAVIA — Next year, Clermont County's stray animals will have a new home.

        On Tuesday, county commissioners approved plans to build a 10,000-square-foot animal shelter capable of housing 194 animals, almost doubling its current capacity of 107 animals.

        “We're going to find more homes for more animals and have an opportunity to address the root causes of animal overpopulation,” said Dr. Stewart Smith, president of the Clermont County Humane Society.

        The Humane Society, which is contracted by the county to handle all animal control duties, will contribute $250,000 to cost of the building, with the county picking up rest of the $837,000 tab.

        The state also has contributed $22,500 to the project, and the Humane Society will pay another $100,000 for equipment and furnishings.

        “This new facility will contribute greatly to our ability to relieve the suffering and find homes for animals in Clermont County,” Dr. Stewart said. “Adoptions will be easier, and it will be a place more open, better ventilated and aesthetically pleasing for the public.”

        State Reps. Jean Schmidt and Tom Niehaus presented the Humane Society with a check for the state's portion of the project at the Tuesday's meeting. Both complimented the volunteers for their work and fund-raising efforts to make the building possible.

        The new shelter will include adoption rooms to allow people to spend time with a prospective pet before adopting, will be better ventilated and more user-friendly for the public, Dr. Smith said.

        The building will be on the site of the existingshelter, at 4025 Filager Road, Batavia, and the 30-year-old building will remain open until the new one is finished. Construction is expected to begin in November and take about nine months.

        “ Plans have been in the works for a new building since 1991, but the project wasn't possible until funding could be worked out.

        “The conditions in the existing facility show there's a need,” said County Commissioner Mary Walker. “It is not in the best of condition, otherwise we wouldn't be replacing it.”

        The Humane Society is still seeking donations to assist with the project and other operating expenses. For more information, contact the society at 732-8854.

        In other county business, the commissioners voted to approve a $90,000 project to connect the county water system to the water system of the village of Williamsburg.

        The project is one step toward a possible deal between the county and Williamsburg for the village to purchase bulk water. The village currently uses about 250,000 gallons of water a day compared to the 13 million gallons used in the county system.

        Tom Yeager, director of utilities for the county, said that any water deal between the two entities would not affect water service in Miami and Goshen townships or other northern parts of the county that have recently experienced water pressure difficulties. The two parts of the system are not tied closely enough together to cause any problems.

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