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Fitchburg police K-9 appears in CIP only if donations cover full cost; department prioritizes real-time information center
Summary
The police department's CIP entry for an additional K-9 is contingent on donations covering the full cost; Chief Alfonso Morales told the committee that the real-time information center is a higher priority for operational effectiveness and that dispatch consoles were removed after the county transition.
Police Chief Alfonso Morales reviewed his department's CIP items at the Finance Committee meeting on June 22, explaining that the proposed addition of a K-9 unit appears in the draft only if donations and fundraising cover the entire cost. Historically, Chief Morales said, Fitchburg's K-9s were funded by donations that paid for the initial canine purchase, training and vehicle; operational costs (overtime, ancillary fees) typically require some recurring budget for care.
Chief Morales told alderpersons that if a donor or foundation offered an unrestricted "blank check," his operational priority would be the real-time information center (RTIC) because of its constant operational value to officers on patrol. He said that the RTIC provides technology that effectively adds 24/7 analytical coverage and is, in his view, a higher operational-impact investment than adding a K-9.
Staff also confirmed that police dispatch consoles were removed from the CIP because Fitchburg's dispatch function transitioned to the county; removal reflects that the city no longer needs to plan for local console replacements. The police body-camera and mobile-radio replacement funds remain in the plan with scheduled replacement years and modest cost updates; tasers (conducted electronic weapons) have an updated replacement fund reflecting vendor pricing.
On the K-9 entry, Finance Director Misty Dodge clarified that the CIP currently reflects a policy direction requiring the full cost be covered by donations for any additional canine: "In order for this additional K9 to come to fruition, all of the costs would have to be covered." Chief Morales and staff said donations typically pay for the initial capital and some training, while overtime and vehicle replacement after six years are budget considerations.
What's next: the CIP remains a planning document; any alder wishing to alter the K-9 policy or fund the item from the general CIP must file an amendment before the July 6 deadline. Staff said they will include corrective accounting amendments in future packets to remove accidentally carried operational impacts that do not affect CIP programming.
