Council accepts $3,000 donation for police drone; approves $1 transfer of retiring K-9 to handler

The Village Council voted to accept a $3,000 donation from the Millersport Eagles to buy a drone for the police department and separately approved transferring ownership of a retiring police dog, Ren, to its handler for $1 in accordance with state law. The police chief, who raised the drone idea after public encounters at a festival and presentations about using drones to locate missing adults and children, told council members he had donations and two $1,000 contributions from a local VFW post to help cover the cost. He said the model initially sought became unavailable and the purchase price was about $3,000; the department planned to handle purchase logistics through a credit-card transaction or other procurement method compatible with village purchasing rules. The chief requested a motion to accept the donation; the council motion to accept the $3,000 donation was made and seconded. On the K-9, a council motion invoked state law that requires offering a retiring police dog to its handler for $1. The council approved a motion to comply with that statute and to transfer the dog to the handler named Devin; a letter of intent was described in the meeting and staff said the handler would assume responsibility for veterinary and other ongoing costs. Both items were presented and moved during the meeting; the transcript records motions and seconds for the drone donation and the K-9 transfer. The meeting did not include additional conditions attached to either approval. The police chief told council members he expects to have the new dog certified and in service in about three weeks, and he described how the drone would be used for search operations and other police tasks.