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DPS warns of federal grant reductions; seeks cybersecurity match and readies regional dispatch plan
Summary
DPS told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 25 that federal formula grants used to fund local preparedness and equipment have declined, while the department needs a $600,000 state match for a new cybersecurity grant.
The Vermont Department of Public Safety told the House Appropriations Committee that reductions in two federal grant streams are constraining local grants and operations while the department moves to staff and match several new federal awards.
Committee members were told the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) was reduced by formula nationwide, and the Homeland Security Grant Program also saw a decrease; department staff warned those reductions reduce the funds available to local municipalities for equipment and subgrants.
"The federal government reduced it. It's a formula grant," a department witness said of EMPG, adding that all states were affected. The department said the Homeland Security Grant decrease will mean less pass‑through money for local police and fire to buy equipment that they otherwise rely upon.
On cybersecurity, the department said it has a large CISA‑linked grant the state seeks to accept that now requires a 30% match. "This grant that we are seeking to accept has a 30% match," the department said, describing a partnership between the Department of Public Safety and the Agency of Digital Services to fund a project manager and statewide cyber hygiene work.
The committee was also briefed on regional dispatch funding and the work done under Act 78. Commissioner Jennifer Morrison said contracted subject‑matter experts have produced a system design plan and that a draft intended for public, legislative and first‑responder feedback should be available soon. "The system design plan should be available in a, first draft form for designed specifically for public feedback, for legislative feedback, for first responder feedback, and we hope to be able to release that, as early as the end of next week," Morrison said.
Staff warned the committee that reduced federal grants will not be fully replaced by state funds and that local budgets may need to increase if municipalities seek to replace items previously paid by federal subgrants. The department offered to provide more detailed written explanations of specific grant match timelines and obligations.
