Deputy Administrator Daniel Fox and Mark Sheridan, director of the Department of Emergency Services (DES), briefed commissioners on Jan. 28 on a proposed change to how the county administers State Homeland Security Grant Program funds that flow to local law enforcement and municipal agencies.

Sheridan and county staff said the current formula disburses small fixed amounts (roughly $6,000 per jurisdiction in recent years) directly to agencies, producing purchases that are often idiosyncratic and difficult for county staff to track during state audits. “We are still required to report on their spending,” Sheridan said, noting the state audits require asset inventories with serial numbers and receipts.

The county proposal is to have DES accept applications from local agencies, review and award projects centrally, and conduct purchases and inventorying on behalf of subrecipients. That model would: centralize procurement, tag equipment for audits, reduce staff time spent chasing receipts and improve consistency with state and federal reporting requirements. Sheridan and staff recommended a small review committee to evaluate applications and forward recommendations to the commissioners for final approval.

Commissioners expressed support for the approach and discussed committee makeup and decision authority. Commissioner Kenneth (first name not specified in the transcript) said he would like the review committee’s recommendations to come to the board for ultimate approval; others suggested a committee including finance, sheriff’s office representation, and possibly a commissioner. Sheriff Baker and other participants emphasized that the county remains responsible for equipment purchased with grant funds and said tighter oversight could reduce audit risk.

Outcome at the meeting: staff reported a consensus to roll out the DES-administered application model for the current grant year, work with legal on agreements with subrecipients, form a small review committee and submit committee recommendations to the commissioners for final award decisions. Commissioners asked that the staff present alternative options considered and the applications the committee received when forwarding recommendations for approval.

Why this matters: SHSGP funds are federal/state homeland-security dollars that require detailed inventory and reporting. Centralizing purchases can reduce audit risk and administrative burden but will change how municipalities and small agencies access funding for equipment and training.

Next steps: staff to finalize an agreement with subrecipients (with county legal), stand up a small review committee, accept applications for the current grant cycle and present committee recommendations and alternative options to the commissioners for final approval.