The St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners on March 3 authorized the Department of Public Safety to submit the county’s Federal Fiscal Year 2009 Homeland Security grant application survey to the State of Maryland, a procedural step required for the state to apply for and allocate federal funds to counties.

The request, presented by Department of Public Safety representative Mister Zylak, described a FY2009 grant total of $322,528 and listed several projects staff proposed the county include in the state application: mobile data terminals (MDBs) for nine fire command vehicles, an area remote radiation monitor to reduce first-responder exposure, a marine vessel for sheriff’s operations, and funds to plan and train a CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) volunteer program. "This input that we're providing to the state is merely a survey…and that it in no way locks the county into the spending plan," Zylak told commissioners during the discussion.

Why it matters: the grant would bring federal money to pay for equipment and planning that county officials say they could not otherwise afford. Zylak told the board the award is about 10 percent larger than the prior year and that a notable share would support law-enforcement terrorism prevention and preparedness planning. County staff cautioned that recurring operating costs — connectivity and maintenance for MDBs, fuel and upkeep for a marine vessel, and trainer/recurring expenses for a volunteer program — would need to be added to future county budgets if the projects were funded.

Discussion highlights: Commissioners pressed staff on sustainability and long-term costs. Miss Lilly, public-safety staff, explained the MDB rollout would start with one unit in each fire command vehicle so chiefs could evaluate actual use before a broader buy-out; she said the units would give field commanders access to CAD mapping and dispatch information. Captain Willenborg of the sheriff’s office answered technical questions about the proposed marine craft, confirming the purchase would include a trailer and noting the department already has a Ford F550 capable of towing it. Staff said there is no direct cash match required to purchase equipment under the grant, but recurring connectivity and maintenance costs would need to be incorporated into the FY2010 operating budget if the grant award materializes.

Outcome: After extended discussion, the board voted to authorize the Department of Public Safety to submit the completed FY2009 Homeland Security grant application survey to the state. The motion carried with recorded board shorthand "Motion carries. 3 ayes, 2 nays." Commissioners instructed staff that if federal awards are received, the county will return to the commissioners to identify which projects to accept and to seek appropriation authority for any associated recurring costs.

What’s next: This action submits the county’s priorities to the state for inclusion in the state application to the federal government. If the state receives federal funds and apportions them to St. Mary’s County, staff will return to the board with recommended acceptance of awards and detailed budget amendments for any recurring or matching costs.

Ending: The board’s authorization keeps the county eligible for federal Homeland Security funds but does not commit the county to purchase any specific equipment; final decisions will follow award notifications and a subsequent commissioner review.