North Fond du Lac board approves K9 program, authorizes new squad purchase

The Village of North Fond du Lac Board of Trustees voted 5–0 on Jan. 5 to approve the purchase of a police K9 and associated equipment and to order a new squad vehicle for the K9 handler.

Police Chief Pete Vergos told trustees that community fundraising had generated over $80,000 toward the program and that a dog ready for deployment could be purchased this spring or summer. Vergos presented an operational budget estimate of roughly $7,000 to $10,000 per year and said he expects ongoing fundraising to cover most, if not all, recurring costs. Administrator Nick Leonard said the potential budget risk to the village would be in that $7,000–$10,000 range over the next five to seven years if fundraising falls short.

Trustees discussed how the squad would be used and what would happen if the handler left the department. Vergos said the K9 would travel home with the handler, that the department expects a new squad (not a repurposed vehicle), and that any personnel changes would be addressed through a handler contract and, if necessary, transferring the dog to another qualified handler in the department. Trustee Gary Schaub asked whether the county would be called when the village K9 was not available; Vergos said they would likely call the county or rely on the village K9 when possible. Trustee John Duffy said the board should move forward and reassess the program in five to seven years if fundraising does not meet needs.

Trustee Chuck Hornung moved to approve the purchase of the K9 and associated expenses, including ordering the new squad; Trustee John Duffy seconded. The motion carried with five ayes.

The board approved staff authorization to complete the purchase and contracts. Officials said the department will pursue the available dog this spring or summer and will monitor fundraising and operational costs, with a possible reassessment in five to seven years if needed.