DES proposes WebEOC software, cybersecurity grants and training funding in draft emergency management budget
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Summary
The county emergency management director presented a draft budget that adds WebEOC crisis-management software, anticipates cybersecurity grant awards and seeks targeted training and travel funds; the committee cleared staff to share preliminary numbers with interlocal partners.
Director Chandler, who oversees the county’s Division of Emergency Services (DES), presented the DES draft budget and highlighted a planned subscription to WebEOC crisis-management software as the budget’s largest change. Chandler said the software will allow county emergency staff and outside partners — fire chiefs, utilities and public works from cities and taxing districts — to share incident data without relying on cumbersome network shares.
Chandler described the county’s grant pipeline: one grant in closeout, one the county is ready to start once reimbursement timing is clear, and a pending application for an additional cybersecurity award that staff suggested reserving space for in the revenue estimate. “That was about $250,000,” Chandler said of the possible third award.
Chandler said the DES budget reduces training and travel line items overall but keeps funding to support attendance at a national conference in Louisville so staff may pursue certification opportunities. He also told the committee that DES is maintaining emergency-management activities in a separate fund structure, and agreed with a committee member’s point that federal grant pass-throughs and disaster funds are handled in separate special funds rather than the personnel and operating fund.
Committee members asked whether preliminary DES numbers could be shared with cities for interlocal agreement breakout calculations; Chandler asked if there were objections. The committee raised none and authorized staff to share the preliminary figures.
No formal committee vote was required to accept the draft budget presentation. Committee discussion also covered coordination with the sheriff’s office and county attorney for cybersecurity-related hardware and licensing that would be supported by grant funding if awards are made.
Director Chandler and county staff said they will finalize grant-line numbers with the treasurer and return with any updates to the committee when award details are confirmed.