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Controlling Board approves DPS liaison contract and disaster-relief transfers; board hears how disaster fund is tied to contingency account
Summary
The Controlling Board approved a noncompetitive contract for a homeland-security liaison and transfers to the state's disaster-relief fund; DPS officials said the disaster-relief fund is funded by transfers from the Controlling Board's emergency purposes and contingencies fund and is used to pass funds through to local subdivisions.
The Controlling Board approved two Department of Public Safety items: a waiver of competitive selection to contract with a specialized liaison and transfers to the state's disaster-relief fund to reimburse counties for eligible damages.
On the liaison contract (item 56), board members questioned why the department is contracting with a specific individual rather than hiring through a competitive process. Matthew Martin, DPS chief administrative officer, said the contract exceeds the Controlling Board threshold. Simone Moody, Ohio Homeland Security grant manager, said the department has used contracted, semi‑retired or retired law‑enforcement professionals for this role for about 10 years and that the positions have often been filled through personal networks. “We generally search out semi retired, retired law enforcement...we usually find these individuals just through networking,” Moody said. Senator Chavez said she preferred open searches but was told the department had attempted full‑time hires in the past and budget constraints required contracting instead.
On disaster-relief funding (items 58 and 59), DPS officials explained the state's disaster-relief fund is funded by transfers from the Controlling Board's emergency purposes and contingencies fund. The department said it typically comes quarterly to request cash and appropriation to pass through funds to affected counties. “Statutorily, the state's disaster relief fund is funded by transfers from the Controlling Board emergency purposes and contingencies fund. That is its sole funding mechanism,” a DPS representative said. Board members asked for clarification about how the contingency fund and the disaster-relief fund relate; DPS said the disaster‑relief fund is an offshoot that receives transfers from the contingency fund.
Board action: Both items were approved with no objections. Senator Ingram confirmed she was comfortable approving the disaster-relief requests.
Next steps: DPS will proceed with the contracted liaison arrangement and will continue to request appropriations and cash transfers from the governing contingency fund as disaster needs arise.
