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Covington County commissioners approve sheriff’s request to pursue federal COPS grant
Summary
The Covington County Commission voted to let the sheriff apply for a federal COPS grant that would fund officers for three years; details including any matching requirement remain to be determined and will be brought back to the commission.
Covington County commissioners voted to allow the sheriff to apply for a federal COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grant that would fund officers for three years, county meeting participants said.
The request matters because, according to the sheriff during the discussion, after the three-year federal funding period the county commission would be responsible for paying the officers’ salaries. The sheriff answered that the application deadline is “June 25.”
At the meeting the sheriff described the grant as a way “to help supply officers over a 3 year period.” Commissioners asked whether the grant requires a local match; the sheriff said that was not known at the time and that he was asking so he could “go forward with it.” One commissioner moved to allow the sheriff to pursue the grant and gather details; another commissioner seconded the motion. The chair called for the ayes and none opposed, and the motion was approved by voice vote.
Commissioners did not record a roll-call tally during the discussion. The sheriff said additional COPS grant opportunities exist and that the county could apply for them later if desired.
The next step is for the sheriff to return to the commission with the grant details, including whether a local match is required and other application conditions, so the commissioners can decide whether to accept and implement the grant if awarded.
