City Council approves $15,000 for new police canine Zeke's acquisition

In a recent City Council meeting, the Anacortes City Council discussed two significant budget amendments aimed at enhancing public safety and technology. The council approved a $15,000 expenditure for a new police canine, Zeke, following the retirement of the previous canine, T-Bone. This funding will be sourced from the opioid settlement money, a restricted revenue stream designated for such public safety enhancements.

Council members expressed curiosity about the cost of the new canine, with one member noting that $15,000 seems high for a dog. The police chief clarified that this amount reflects the specialized training and certification required for police dogs, which includes hundreds of hours of training in detection and patrol duties. Additionally, the contract guarantees that if Zeke faces health issues that necessitate early retirement, he will be replaced at no additional cost to the city.

The council also addressed the need for a budget amendment to replace outdated computers used by city departments. Some of these computers were found to be incompatible with the latest Windows updates, necessitating their replacement to ensure efficient operations. The funding for this amendment will also come from a designated replacement reserve.

These discussions highlight the city’s commitment to maintaining effective public safety resources and ensuring that city operations remain technologically up-to-date. As the council moves forward, these amendments reflect a proactive approach to addressing community needs and enhancing the quality of services provided to Anacortes residents.