Elk City, OK – Elk City commissioners approved an $8,025 change order for the city's new animal shelter during their latest meeting, as construction continues on the long-awaited facility.

The change order, awarded to Nebhut Construction, is part of the ongoing project to relocate the city's animal shelter from its current location on South Main Street to a building directly south of the Elk City airport. The new facility occupies the site of a former juvenile center.

Elk City Mayor Micah Kilhoffer acknowledged frustration over the project's lengthy construction timeline but said progress is being made.

"It's been a long, slow process," Kilhoffer said. "I think our questions and comments were probably presented with some frustration. You know, why is this taking so long?"

Kilhoffer said delays appear to be related to the availability of equipment, materials and workers needed to complete the project.

"I think a lot of it just has to do with the resources, getting the equipment here, and just getting the folks to show up and do the work," Kilhoffer said.

Despite the setbacks, the mayor said the latest construction update indicates the project is moving closer to completion.

"We're in the middle of plumbing and electric and should start seeing some of that stuff get buttoned up, and then we can go in and do the finish work," Kilhoffer said.

Once completed, the new facility is expected to replace the existing animal shelter on South Main Street.

No specific completion date was announced during the discussion.

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