Page County supervisors authorize down payment to buy sheriffs K-9

Sheriff Charles McCall told the Page County Board of Supervisors that he is seeking permission to place a $3,500 down payment to purchase and begin training a K-9 for the sheriffs office.

McCall said the dog itself would cost $10,500 and that upfitting a county Dodge Durango to carry a canine would add about $3,500. Kennels for office and handler housing, veterinary annual costs and other startup expenses brought his total request to $20,286.54. "The total that I'm asking for is $20,286.54," he said. He reported the sheriffs office already has $9,937 in a line-item budget and a separate canine fund with $35,755.50; he also cited a $4,200 donation received and a pledged $500.

The sheriff described the dog as a 12‑month-old female Belgian Malinois, single-purpose (narcotics/tracking) initially, with the option later to convert to a dual-purpose dog for an added cost. Training and the first round of instruction are included in the $10,500 purchase price, he said.

Board members discussed funding sources, possible additional donations and insurance or handler overtime costs. The board took a motion to allow the down payment and to proceed; the motion carried with affirmative votes.

The action is procedural: supervisors authorized use of existing budgeted and donated funds to place a down payment and begin the purchase and training process. The sheriff said he will deposit recent donations into the canine fund and bring further budget adjustments, if needed, during the regular budget process.

Next steps: the sheriff will deposit the donations into the canine fund and proceed with the down payment to the vendor; any later budget amendments for ongoing costs will be considered during the countys budget cycle.