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Marshall County creates Public Safety Grant Program, removes 'first‑come' rule for special projects
Summary
Marshall County Council established a Public Safety Grant Program to provide $50,000 allocations to eight jurisdictions and set aside 20% of annual funds for special projects; the council amended the ordinance to remove language requiring that the 20% be distributed on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Marshall County Council voted to establish a Marshall County Public Safety Grant Program, creating a new county fund and setting a distribution framework that gives eight jurisdictions equal shares and retains 20% of the annual appropriation for special projects.
The program, described in Ordinance 2025‑12 as read into the record by a council member, directs that 80% of an annual appropriation be dispersed in equal shares to the county’s eight named jurisdictions — the town of August, the town of Bergen, the town of Bremen, the town of Culver, North Township, the city of Plymouth, Polk Township and Tippecanoe Township. The ordinance further set the remaining 20% aside for reimbursable grants for special equipment or capital assets used in fire and EMS services.
The program responds to concerns raised by fire and EMS representatives that local revenue and reimbursements have not kept pace with equipment costs and new federal or state requirements, including changes to OSHA guidance that have increased departments’ equipment costs.
The council debated language that would have made the 20% available “on a first come, first served basis.” John (Georgia County Fire Service), who spoke for local fire representatives, urged the council to remove the first‑come language to avoid a situation where one department could apply early and exhaust the set‑aside funds. “I would like to see that stricken from that language,” John said.
A council member moved to strike the phrase “on a first come, first served basis” from the ordinance and replace it with language leaving award decisions to the discretion of the commissioners. The motion to remove the first‑come provision was seconded and approved by voice vote. After that amendment, the council proceeded with the ordinance language that preserves commissioner discretion over awards from the 20% special‑projects pool.
Council members noted that three departments already had received their 2025 allocation and that Polk Township had received half of its allocation. The ordinance establishes the new fund (fund number referenced in the ordinance text) but requires a separate appropriation later to place money into the fund.
The council framed the program as a county response short of creating a new public safety tax; the ordinance is intended to give the commissioners flexibility to approve countywide special projects such as shared training or equipment that could benefit multiple departments.
The amended ordinance was carried by voice vote.
The council ended the discussion by thanking local fire representatives for bringing their needs to the county’s attention and noting that the program is intended to help departments purchase high‑cost items such as gas meters and other lifesaving equipment.
