Fiscal Court agrees to apply for federal grant to fund two deputy positions

Scott County Fiscal Court voted to apply for a federal grant that would pay for two deputy positions over a five-year award period, Sheriff Nettles told the court during the June 26 meeting.

"The grant provides $125,000 worth of funding over a five year period per position," Sheriff Nettles said, adding that the county would be liable for salary and benefit costs after the grant ends and required to maintain the positions for at least 12 months following the five-year period.

County staff and the sheriff’s office discussed estimated costs and staffing impacts. A county official said total wage-and-benefit costs for a new position for fiscal year 25–26 were shared by email; the sheriff’s office estimated a per-position offset of $125,000 from the grant but noted the county must fund the remaining years. The sheriff said the county could wait until the award notification in October and accept or decline an award at that time.

Court members discussed whether to apply for two positions or one. The sheriff said he would research whether the county could accept fewer positions if awarded two. Court members emphasized the county’s growth rate and patrol staffing needs; one speaker estimated the county population at about 60,000 and noted local growth of roughly 1,000 people per year.

A motion to apply for the grant was made and seconded; the court approved the motion by voice vote. The court clerk recorded the motion as passed. Court members asked staff to confirm whether the application can be adjusted after award and to provide cost estimates for the county liability should the award be accepted.