Commissioners direct staff to draft joint‑powers agreement to transfer K9 'Ares' to Nelson County

Benson County commissioners instructed staff to prepare a joint powers agreement to transfer K9 Ares to Nelson County after hearing competing proposals for the dog’s care and future use.

County staff outlined two options: return Ares to his Ontario trainer (which would require handler certification that was described as a roughly $5,000 course) or transfer the dog to Nelson County under a joint powers agreement so Nelson County would house and train Ares while still making the dog available for Benson County assistance. Nelson County proposed covering ongoing costs and asked Benson County to forgive a short invoice of $1,987.40 for overtime and handler fees incurred while housing the dog. Chief deputy (speaker 7) described training and recent veterinary observations and said Nelson County would continue to make the K‑9 available for regional mutual aid.

The meeting recorded strong concerns about past handling. A county speaker said, “This dog will not be going back to Carlson,” and characterized earlier training and oversight as inadequate. Commissioners debated guarantees tied to trainer warranties and whether the county would be able to require return of the dog if a serious medical condition recurred. Commissioner Griffin moved to have the county attorney prepare a joint powers agreement transferring Ares to Nelson County with a clause barring private ownership until retirement; the motion was seconded and the board approved proceeding to draft and review the JPA, to be finalized and signed at a later meeting after Nelson County’s concurrence.

The board directed the county attorney and staff to draft the JPA and present it at a subsequent meeting; no final transfer or exchange of funds occurred at this session.