(Lawrenceville, Ga., Aug. 12, 2025) – The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners approved several items during its Aug. 5 meeting to support advocacy for children, services for seniors and resources for first responders. Highlights include new grant funding for the CASA program, funding for aging services, the retirement of a longtime K9 officer and a replacement fire training tower.

CASA grant supports advocacy for foster children

More than $235,000 in grant funding from the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program will support the local CASA team, which trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in foster care.

The funding covers the salaries of the program director and four supervisors. During the most recent grant cycle, 37 volunteers contributed over 3,500 hours serving Gwinnett’s foster children. The grant does not require a local match.

Funding boosts senior services

A $2.5 million grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission will support senior programs in Gwinnett County through June of next year.

The funding reimburses eligible expenses and supports case management, home-delivered and congregate meals, personal care, respite care, senior recreation and transportation. The required local match of $162,600 will be covered by the General Fund.

K9 Nitro retires after 8 years of service

K9 Nitro, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois, has retired from the Gwinnett Police Department’s Special Operations Division after eight years of service.

He responded to 353 calls, assisting with 64 apprehensions, 35 narcotics detections and 73 evidence finds. He completed nearly 2,000 hours of training and was recognized as Officer of the Month three times, in addition to being honored by the District Attorney’s Office.

A veterinary evaluation recommended retirement due to age-related heat sensitivity and mobility issues. Nitro will live out his retirement with his handler, Sgt. Brian E. Doan. His replacement, K9 Ace, is currently in training and will begin handler school this fall.

New fire training tower moves forward

A $1.3 million contract was awarded to Eastern Builders, Inc., to construct a new modular fire training tower to replace the existing structure built in 1983. Years of exposure to live fire and weather have left the tower worn and outdated. The new tower will meet National Fire Protection Association standards, improve safety, and provide long-term flexibility for training scenarios.