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Commissioners authorize execution of FY22 state-local cybersecurity grant amid funding uncertainty
Summary
Ravalli County approved executing a fiscal year 2022 state-and-local cybersecurity grant to continue contracted services, but staff warned the state has delayed federal pass-through funding and the county may remain responsible if funds are not released.
The Ravalli County Board of County Commissioners voted May 6 to execute a fiscal year 2022 state-and-local cybersecurity grant that will continue contracted cybersecurity services, including a vendor-supported sensor system and training, even though county staff cautioned the state's pass-through of federal funds remains delayed.
Planning and IT staff told the board the grant originates in federal FY2022 and that Montana has sought extensions, leaving the county in a position where state payments to the vendor have not yet been released. Under the grant structure described by staff, the state receives federal dollars and pays vendors directly; the county approves the grant and receives services rather than direct reimbursements.
Staff identified specific services tied to the grant as the Albert sensor and the "Know Before" training program and said the county has been paying month to month for the vendor while awaiting state disbursement. Staff also said they planned to apply for additional funding to cover SentinelOne (antivirus) and that they will include funding in next year's county budget as a precaution.
Commissioners moved and seconded execution of the grant request and voted to approve the action. County staff cautioned the board that if the state does not release funds, the county would need to fund some services in the short term; the motion approved execution of the grant agreement as presented.
