Commissioners accept FY2007 homeland security grant and approve budget amendment pending expenditure review

The Board of County Commissioners signed a memorandum of agreement with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency on Nov. 13 accepting St. Mary’s County’s FY2007 federal homeland security grant awards and authorizing associated budget amendments.

Public safety officials told the board the county’s total award was $331,569, divided among homeland security funding, law enforcement terrorism prevention and Citizen Corps. The county’s public safety plans include $70,000 for the county emergency planner salary and a set of equipment and training projects: approximately $50,000 for interoperable communications portables, $62,000 for critical infrastructure equipment (a generator for a Leonardtown water plant was cited as an example) and $30,000 for exercises and training, including contracting a consultant for a county‑wide mass decontamination drill.

Sheriff’s Office representatives said their $112,000 share would be used for communications and surveillance equipment for prevention and command post capabilities; they said requests focus on equipment rather than personnel. County staff emphasized that federal funding comes with eligibility rules and authorized equipment lists and that the proposed spending is consistent with national priorities for interoperability, planning and information sharing.

Commissioner comments stressed the need for further discussion about the highest‑priority projects and for early coordination across disciplines and adjacent jurisdictions. The motion approved the memorandum of agreement and the budget amendment and added a stipulation that commissioners will review proposed public safety expenditures prior to spending. The motion carried by voice vote.