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Board approves $1‑time public‑safety expenditures including rifle‑rated shields and a 9‑1‑1 UPS
Summary
The Board voted unanimously to authorize one‑time funding requests for sheriff vehicles, rifle‑rated ballistic shields and an uninterruptible power supply for the 9‑1‑1 center. The purchase of rifle‑rated shields drew operational detail from the sheriff’s office about use in active‑shooter and high‑risk responses.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a package of one‑time public‑safety expenditures on April 15 (proposed resolution R25‑102).
Budget and Management staff said these purchases would be funded from fiscal‑year 2024 year‑end balances and would not create ongoing budgetary commitments. The package included additional sheriff vehicles, rifle‑rated ballistic shields for patrol and response teams, and a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to provide backup power for the county’s 9‑1‑1 center.
Major Jason Balsky of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office described the rifle‑rated shields during the meeting: “These rifle rated shields…are portable that we can carry. So in today’s world with active shooter incidents, we’ve seen quite a rise in the preference of assault rifles…These are specifically rated for rifles where if we’re responding to an incident…we have proper protective equipment for our deputies.”
Board discussion and vote Board members raised typical fiscal questions about one‑time versus ongoing costs; CFO Andrea Light confirmed the funding source was FY24 year‑end savings so the purchases would not change the FY26 baseline. The Board approved the resolution R25‑102 by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: The new equipment is meant to provide deputies and dispatchers with updated safety and continuity tools for high‑risk responses and for the county’s emergency communications center.
Ending: Staff will return with procurement schedules and expected delivery timelines for the approved items.
