Police plan vehicle orders and to hire part‑time animal‑control officer; SRO in schools underway

Police leadership reported operational updates and requests: a new school resource officer has started work in local schools, the department would like authorization to order two leased vehicles (Chevy Tahoes) budgeted for next year, and staff seek approval to hire a part‑time animal‑control officer to start in October.

The chief said the leasing company is taking orders now for Chevy Tahoes and that lead time is several months; while no binding contract was required at this stage, staff requested a "wink and nod" from the council to proceed with ordering two vehicles the council already budgeted. Council members indicated general support for proceeding, provided final costs remain within the approved budget.

On animal control, the police chief said the department would like to hire a part‑time officer to resume animal‑control duties in October, proposing a work schedule similar to a prior part‑time arrangement: four hours per day up to 19 hours per week. The chief described the role as previously handled by administrative support and said the part‑time hire would take on field animal control responsibilities. Council members indicated support and asked staff to proceed with recruitment and hiring consistent with the adopted budget.

The council also heard routine operational updates including recent arrests and training the department hosted with neighboring agencies and the county prosecutor’s office.