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Sheriff’s office wins $71,159 grant for K-9 program, buys transport van; quarterly jail and sheriff reports approved
Summary
The Yankton County sheriff’s office received a $71,159.98 grant from the South Dakota Attorney General’s drug forfeiture fund to start a K-9 program, introduced Deputy Austin Schuller, and the commission approved purchase of a transport van for $57,387 and accepted the sheriff’s quarterly report.
YANKTON — The Yankton County sheriff’s office told the commission it has secured state forfeiture funding to launch a K-9 program, introduced the deputy assigned to the effort and asked the commission to approve a transport van purchase and accept routine jail reporting.
Sheriff staff said the office was granted $71,159.98 through the South Dakota Attorney General’s drug forfeiture fund to pay for the canine program, and they introduced Deputy Austin Schuller, who described prior patrol experience and interest in narcotics enforcement. Schuller said the canine program will be a tool for narcotics detection and tracking; staff said they will consult the state’s attorney on charges and decide which odors (for example: methamphetamine, fentanyl) the dog will be trained to detect.
The commission approved the purchase of a transport van from Lewis and Clark Ford for $57,387. Sheriff staff said the purchase was budgeted in 2025 and will replace a 9-passenger van with about 190,000 miles. The sheriff said the old van will be stripped of equipment and surplused.
Staff also presented the sheriff’s quarterly report, which included revenue from Marshall holds and staffing comments; the commission approved the report by voice vote.
The sheriff’s office said the jail’s debt will be paid off later in the year and discussed transportation and contract details for Marshall holds and ICE detainees; staff said the county cannot house ICE detainees more than 72 hours and that contract terms were being renegotiated.
Commissioners praised the office for securing grant funds and for staffing and transport planning. The sheriff said community fundraisers will help with long-term K-9 maintenance costs.
