Fremont County discusses $137,520 opioid‑settlement request for two K‑9s

County staff presented a two‑K‑9 proposal to commissioners, describing initial setup and training costs to be covered by opioid‑settlement funds and recurring handler and vehicle maintenance costs to be covered by the sheriff's office. The board discussed line items and directed staff to include the request in an upcoming budget hearing so the commission could consider appropriation.

On the initial cost breakdown, a staff presenter said: "Ultimately, for k 9 1, so it would be $114,001.25." The presentation included a second canine with lower initial equipment costs and projected annual operating costs; staff summarized the combined initial opioid‑fund request at about $137,520 and estimated annual opioid‑funded operating costs at roughly $10,712.

Sheriff's office representatives told commissioners the sheriff would cover handler salaries, vehicle maintenance and fuel; the county would use opioid settlement funds for the dogs, training and vehicle procurement/retrofitting. Commissioners asked for clearer budget line items and asked staff to submit a dollar request and descriptions for advertisement ahead of a formal January budget hearing.

No appropriation was made at the meeting; commissioners scheduled the budget hearing and instructed staff to prepare the program-development line items and advertising language.