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Clay County approves application for Missouri Blue Shield public-safety designation
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Summary
The Clay County Commission unanimously approved a resolution allowing the sheriff's office to apply for the Missouri Blue Shield designation, a state program recognizing local governments'commitment to public safety and making certain state grant funds available only to designated jurisdictions.
Clay County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve a resolution enabling the sheriff's office to apply for the Missouri Blue Shield designation, a state program created this year to recognize local governments that commit to targeted public-safety practices.
Captain Amy Agderian of the Clay County Sheriff's Office asked the commission to sign a resolution required as part of the application packet. "Before you tonight is a resolution that would be part of an application packet... the purpose of this program... is to acknowledge and to identify local governments that have a commitment to public safety," Agderian said. She told commissioners the designation would also "allow the sheriff's office to access specific grants that we would not otherwise have access to without this designation."
Agderian explained she learned of the program through a field deputy and said Clay County already meets many of the program's criteria, meaning the application work was largely a straightforward "lift." She said the only materials needed from the commission were the signed resolution and a letter from the auditor verifying the existence of the funding referenced in the application.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the grant fund that will follow the designation. Agderian said the specific grant opportunities and funding amounts had not yet been released; state funding announcements were expected later in June. Commissioner Wagner asked whether the additional funds come from a separate state-created fund; Agderian responded that was her understanding and that the county could not access those monies without the designation.
Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the ordinance authorizing the application; a roll-call vote recorded six "yes" votes and the measure passed 6-0.
During remarks, commissioners emphasized support for law enforcement and said the designation would signal the county's commitment to public safety. The approval authorizes submission of the Blue Shield application; any future grants tied to the designation will require separate review when details and funding amounts are announced.
