One Gwinnett city's newest proposed budget includes nearly $74,000 for what would be its first-ever K9 police officer.
Officials for the city of Lilburn said the dog would be another step toward "its goal of becoming the safest city in Georgia."
"Anyone who's been following the epidemic in this country knows that opiate addiction is a serious problem," Lilburn police Chief Bruce Hedley said in a news release. "The K-9 unit will help us detect these dangerous drugs. The dog is also a very effective tool for community outreach."
Hedley said his department currently has to rely on K9s from other jurisdictions when they're needed.
»MORE: These are Georgia's 50 safest cities, according to one website.
Overall, Lilburn's proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, is just under $12.4 million, or 4.2 percent less than the current year's. The city's property tax rate is expected to remain as is.
A more complete breakdown of the proposed budget can be viewed here. A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m. on July 13 at Lilburn City Hall, located at 76 Main St.
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