Lilburn Budget Could Add Police K-9 Unit

LILBURN, GA -- If Lilburn Police have their way, a small piece of the city's next budget will be going to the dogs.

Lilburn's proposed 2016-17 budget, available now for public review, includes $73,747 for the department's first K-9 unit and related equipment and services.

"Anyone who's been following the epidemic in this country knows that opiate addiction is a serious problem," police Chief Bruce Hedley said in a news release. "The K-9 unit will help us detect these dangerous drugs."

Currently, Lilburn Police have to rely on borrowing police dogs from other jurisdictions when they're needed.

Hedley noted that K-9 units also are effective tools for community outreach.

The unit would be funded by money from Lilburn's 2014 special-purpose, local option sales tax.

City Manager Bill Johnsa said a K-9 unit would help Lilburn's goal of becoming the safest city in Georgia.

"This will be accomplished by a strong, well-equipped police force, as well as superior community policing," he said. "The addition of a K-9 unit will bolster this effort."

Lilburn's proposed budget totals about $12.3 million. That's a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year.

City council is expected to keep property tax rates the same.

The proposed budget is available for public inspection online and in City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m. at city hall. The new fiscal year begins July 1.