Mariemont council agrees to keep backup K‑9 vehicle amid discussion of replacement costs

Councilors on the Village of Mariemont heard an extended briefing from Chief Heinz on the police department’s K‑9 program and vehicle needs and signaled agreement to retain a backup K‑9 vehicle.

Chief Heinz told council that the department’s two K‑9 vehicles are both 2017 models; one has more than 100,000 miles and the other about 80,000 miles. He said outfitting a new K‑9 vehicle with necessary equipment would cost roughly $85,000–$90,000. Given the dog Dasty’s current age (about five years), the chief recommended keeping both vehicles in rotation to defer that large expense until a future decision about whether to replace the dog and vehicle in 2027.

Councilors asked practical questions about use of the backup vehicle and liability/insurance savings from reducing fleet size. Finance discussion noted that earlier reductions in fleet drove a premium decrease of roughly $1,300 and that removing one vehicle could save additional insurance costs—although exact savings were uncertain.

Chief Heinz emphasized that initial acquisition and training costs for Dasty were largely offset by outside support: a Haberkam Foundation grant covered the dog's purchase (about $10,000) and Cincinnati Police provided training; a local veterinarian has been providing care without charge. The chief said those in‑kind supports and grants have materially reduced the village’s net outlay for the K‑9 program.

Councilors did not adopt a final funding decision at the meeting but agreed to retain the backup vehicle for now, ask staff to monitor mileage and insurance implications, and revisit the long‑term decision as Dasty approaches retirement.

What happens next: staff will track costs, insurance impacts and the condition of the vehicles and return to council with a recommendation before 2027 when the village must decide whether to replace the dog and equip a new vehicle.