The way Larry Gurrera sees it, plans to replace the roof at the Shenango Valley Animal Shelter, put in a new animal run, and repair kennels are part of one project.

But, James DeCapua, executive director of Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, thinks they are four separate projects.

DeCapua said that, by separating the tasks, he is able to keep each one under $5,000. If they were more than $5,000, he would have to seek estimates for the work.

Gurrera, a Hermitage commissioner, said it seems to him to be one project with an estimated cost of $14,745, which would require sealed bids to be accepted.

The estimates DeCapua presented Wednesday were prepared by North American businesses, a Shenango Township company that does construction work on COG facilities under a renewable contract.

Sharon Councilman Fred Hoffman said he would like to see more than one estimate.