Council OKs $212,000 in opioid-settlement funds for police K-9, vehicle and evidence-room work

Circleville City Council voted to authorize use of opioid-settlement funds totaling $212,000 to support the police department’s canine program, purchase and upfitting of a vehicle, and improvements to the department’s property and evidence facilities.

At a council meeting in March, Jeff Hallinan, the city council member who spoke for the safety committee, summarized the chief’s request and the dollar amounts: “The total amount is $212,000. It's $45,009.30 for the vehicle. It's 10,000 for the canine ... and for the upfitting of that police vehicle, it's $26,007.90,” Hallinan said.

Nut Graf: The allocation is drawn from opioid-settlement funds restricted by prior agreements and is intended as a one-time use for equipment, training and facility needs. Council discussed the remaining balance of opioid funds, the timing of additional settlement receipts and the potential for cost savings through state-facilitated K-9 training.

Discussion and details

- Use and purpose: Hallinan described three primary uses: (1) purchase of a police canine, (2) purchase and upfitting of a K-9 vehicle, and (3) property and evidence-room work. Hallinan said the department needs a second dog because the current K-9 has about two years of service left.

- Costs: Hallinan provided a line-item summary on the record: “$45,009.30 for the vehicle. It's 10,000 for the canine ... and for the upfitting of that police vehicle, it's $26,007.90.” Council recorded a total discussed of $212,000 for the package.

- Fund balance and timing: Members asked how much remained in the opioid fund after the requested allocations. Council was told that some money remained (council discussion indicated roughly $15,000 might remain after the allocations and the Haven House award), but members and staff also noted that most 2025 receipts had not yet been received and figures are subject to change. The minutes record a staff comment that the municipality has not yet received most of the 2025 settlement money.

- Training and procurement: Hallinan said the police department may be able to obtain state-facilitated training at no cost for canine handling and training — a potential cost savings. Council also noted the department’s current K-9 vehicle had high mileage and that transferring upfitting to that car was impractical.

- Facility work funding: Council discussion referenced substantial remodeling needs for the police facility; the minutes record that the judges’ office indicated it would contribute approximately $130,000 toward the renovations.

Council action

Council suspended the rules and voted by roll call to adopt the resolution authorizing the $212,000 use of opioid-settlement funds for police needs. Motion for passage was made by Katie Hedges and seconded by Tom Klitzka; the motion passed by roll call (all present voted yes).

What happens next

The police department is expected to proceed with procurement and training tasks for the K-9 program and vehicle upfitting. Departments will provide expenditure reports to Finance as required by council. Council and staff noted the allocation is a one-time use of settlement funds and that future opioid receipts may change the available fund balance.

Ending: Council approved the allocation and moved forward with implementation steps; Finance will monitor expenditures and recipients are expected to report back on use of funds.