The Lee County Board of Supervisors has approved funding for a new K-9 police vehicle, but not without debate.
Supervisors voted Tuesday to allocate up to 65-thousand dollars in opioid settlement funds for a Fort Madison Police Department SUV dedicated to a narcotics detection dog.
Some officials raised concerns about the purchase. Supervisor Chuck Holmes opposed the request, saying the current vehicle—at 90-thousand miles—could last several more years.
Others questioned whether opioid settlement funds should be used for a full vehicle purchase, rather than ongoing services.
Still, the project received approval after the Iowa State Auditor’s Office indicated the expense qualifies under allowable uses for the funds.
Fort Madison Police Chief Cody Potthast defended the request, saying K-9 units are highly effective in detecting illegal narcotics and play a key role in reducing opioid distribution.
The measure ultimately passed with majority support, and the department will be required to report annually on the K-9 program’s impact.