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Board authorizes application for up to $35,300 impaired-driving enforcement grant
Summary
The board authorized staff to apply for a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Impaired Driving Enforcement reimbursement grant of up to $35,300 to fund overtime, mobile equipment and community engagement; staff said no new hires are required and that most funds would go to payroll and equipment (including five laptops).
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized the Police Department to apply for a Tennessee Highway Safety Office Impaired Driving Enforcement reimbursement grant of up to $35,300 to support impaired-driving enforcement activities.
A city representative explained the grant would pay overtime and other expenses for targeted patrols focused on impaired and distracted driving; officers would work off-shift hours, and the city would not need to hire additional personnel. The department said many officers already have the training to perform vehicle-observation and field sobriety tasks and that a sergeant would accompany officers to observe tests when appropriate.
Board members asked whether overtime-hour limits exist and whether additional training was required. Staff said the department planned to use officers on a volunteer basis for overtime shifts, that the grant pays overtime and equipment costs (the grant description in the discussion references funds for small supplies and equipment such as five laptops, mounts and chargers) and that many officers already hold required training; additional training would be provided if necessary.
The grant language discussed in the meeting allowed up to 20% of personnel funds to be used for community-engagement activities; staff noted the city's SROs already conduct related outreach in schools. The board requested statistics on local DUI stops and arrests; staff said monthly police reports to the board contain department statistics and offered to provide specific numbers if the board requested them.
Outcome: The board approved authorization to apply for the grant; the transcript records a majority vote.
Why it matters: The grant would fund enforcement activities intended to reduce impaired- and distracted-driving incidents and would pay overtime and some equipment without adding full-time staff to the department.
Next steps: Staff will submit the grant application and, if awarded, return with implementation and reporting details.
