Committee reviews Byrne JAG award for sheriff vehicles, tables appropriation for more information
Summary
The committee considered acceptance and budgeting of a $75,000 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for two vehicles for the sheriff's office, but tabled the appropriation pending clarification on vehicle type and total cost.
The Allegheny County Ways and Means Committee on July 16 reviewed an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant award of $75,000 proposed to be appropriated for two sheriff’s vehicles, then voted to table the appropriation pending additional information on vehicle specification and cost. A committee member presented the sheriff’s request, saying the Byrne grant can fund projects to prevent and control crime and that the award letter specified $75,000 to be appropriated for sheriff vehicles. The mover of the appropriation said the funds would add two marked police vehicles. Committee members raised questions about whether $75,000 would cover outfitted marked vehicles. A county staff speaker said the sheriff’s office originally sought two unmarked, outfitted vehicles but that the granting authority requires marked vehicles. The undersheriff, discussed by staff, said the vehicles being sought are for investigative work (fraud investigators) and not pursuit vehicles. Committee members said they were concerned the $75,000 might not be sufficient and asked staff to price vehicles; one member moved to table the appropriation until additional information was provided. The motion to table passed. The item remains tabled pending staff follow-up to clarify vehicle pricing, whether local funds would be required to supplement the grant, and to resolve any compliance issues with the granting authority (DCJS).
