Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Substance Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve $61,767 grant application to continue heroin/overdose coordinator position
Summary
The board approved the Sheriff's Office application for a $61,767 Governor's Office grant to fund the heroin/overdose coordinator position; the sheriff's office will cover a county match from salary savings and a budget amendment will be processed if the award differs.
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County voted Tuesday to authorize the Sheriff's Office to apply for a continuation grant to fund a heroin and overdose awareness coordinator position.
Sheriff's Office representatives said the grant request to the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Delinquency (overdose and drug awareness coordinator grant program) seeks $61,767 to cover salary and fringe for the coordinator. The Sheriff's Office plans to absorb the county match—approximately $12,092.50—from salary savings in the department’s FY2026 budget if the grant is awarded; the grant and county funding are already included in the FY2026 budget pending award. Staff said a budget amendment would be processed at the award stage if necessary to adjust county contributions.
During questioning, commissioners asked whether the sheriff’s office could absorb the county portion through salary savings; the presenter confirmed that the department planned to do so. The sheriff’s office also reported a year-to-date decline in overdoses: 17 fatal and 84 nonfatal overdoses in 2024 versus 4 fatal and 22 nonfatal overdose incidents so far in 2025.
Commissioner Colvin moved to approve submission of the FY2026 heroin/overdose coordinator grant application in the amount of $61,767 and to authorize the commissioner president and sheriff to execute related documents; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Officials said the position and grant funding are included in the FY2026 budget and that award-stage adjustments will be handled through a budget amendment if required.
