The Fort Madison Police Department is hoping to use opioid settlement funds to purchase a new K-9 unit vehicle, but that request may face pushback at the state level.
During Tuesday morning’s Lee County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Daily Democrat says Supervisor Chuck Holmes reported that the Lee County Opioid Committee approved an application to fund the vehicle.
However, Lee County Attorney Ross Braden told supervisors he is skeptical the State Auditor’s Office will sign off on using opioid settlement funds for that purpose.
Braden says while he supports getting a new police vehicle, he believes the approved remediation strategies tied to the opioid settlement are restrictive and, in his reading, do not include funding for law enforcement equipment used for enforcement, interdiction, or investigation.
Braden says he would support the purchase if the State Auditor approves it, but he is not confident that will happen.
