HIGHFILL -- If all goes as hoped, the Highfill Police Department could be adding a K-9 to the force at minimal expense to the city.
Council members on Oct. 14 voiced approval to a plan to obtain a police service dog through donations from the community. Cost to the city if that happens would be approximately $1,000 per year, according to Highfill Police Chief Blake Webb, for dog food and veterinary care.
Though not a high priority for the newly reorganized department, according to Webb, there is a need for a K-9 unit in the area and the community has been very supportive of a plan to purchase a specially trained dog, train a handler and provide the necessary equipment for the unit.
According to information supplied to the council, Webb said the project was initiated by Highfill Police Officer Logan Roddy, who expressed interest in getting a service dog and being the dog's handler. Because of other department needs and priorities, Webb said he told Roddy that the only way the department could obtain a service dog at this time is if money is raised for the project through donations.
Webb told the council that "over the past few weeks the interest and support from the community has been overwhelming, to say the least." And, because of that support from community members and businesses, he asked for council approval to move forward with a plan to obtain a dog and the training and equipment necessary for a K-9 unit through community donations with the city's only financial responsibility being the maintenance of the dog.
Officer Roddy said he had trained with and worked together with a K-9 unit before and was interested in having a dog with him on patrol and available in the area when a K-9 unit is needed.
Webb said, if the plan succeeds, the city might obtain a dog trained for drug detection and tracking. Specialized bite training for officer protection might be added later, he said.
Roddy said more than $6,000 had been raised in three weeks to cover the cost of needed equipment. He said another $8 to $9 thousand would be needed to purchase the dog and be trained as a handler. He said the police department was working on a way to set up an account and receive donations for the K-9 project as a non-profit organization.
Council members who spoke to the issue said they thought it would be a good addition to the department if the unit could be provided through donations.
Anyone interested in assisting with the project may contact Officer Roddy at 479-212-0159.
Other council business
In other business, the Highfill Council approved a resolution setting the millage rate for the collection of taxes on real and personal property within the city of Highfill, keeping the rate the same as it has been, 5 mills. The council also authorized the transfer of excess sales tax revenue from the water improvement fund to the general fund and approved the financial report for September.
A proposed ordinance to authorize the purchase of a 3/4 ton pickup truck for the city's street department was tabled until fleet prices could be obtained for a Chevrolet or Ford. The proposal would have been to purchase a Dodge crew cab for the $27,500 state bid price. Council member David Williamson requested the prices on a Ford or Chevy because of past mechanical problems and the cost of repairs on Dodge vehicles purchased by the city for the police department.
Highfill Police Chief Blake Webb reported that the city would be "ramping up" the community service program with the assistance of the department's part-time officers. The work -- provided by prisoners or those working off fines -- would be for the benefit of all departments, Webb said.
Mayor Stacy Digby reminded the council of the special election to be held in conjunction with the general election to refund water and sewer bonds. He said the measures reallocate funds but do not raise taxes. He also reported that a food pantry is being started by the Highfill United Methodist Church.
General News on 10/22/2014