Charleston County Council approves $82,320 match for sheriff—s mobile vehicle-barrier grant

Charleston County Council members approved an $82,320 local match so the sheriff—s office can submit an application for a $411,601 federal grant to purchase mobile vehicle barriers intended to protect large public events from vehicle attacks.

The match was discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting, where the chair, Teddy Pryor, said the county could cover the local share from council contingency. The sheriff described the equipment as "a system of barricades that are mobile, that we can move quickly into place if there's an emergency happening, or we can pre stage and plan for large events...to protect that area from vehicle attacks." The sheriff also noted neighboring jurisdictions could use the equipment for regional events.

Council members characterized the grant as a high-return investment: one member said the request represented "roughly, you know, $1 spent for $4 gained in the grant," arguing it was fiscally responsible. A motion to approve the $82,320 match was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the chair announced the motion carried.

The committee discussion limited the current commitment to the barrier match only; the sheriff said other equipment requests remain under consideration and staff would return with those proposals. One council member asked that finance committee staff be involved because funds may be drawn from contingency recommended elsewhere in the budget process.

The committee did not adopt further procurement details at the meeting; staff will proceed with the grant submission now that the local match has committee approval.