The Board of County Commissioners accepted a training grant supporting the sheriff's accreditation and approved several other public-safety budget actions at the May 28 meeting.

Local Government Insurance Trust executive Tim Aylesworth presented an $8,800 check to the county to support continuing training tied to the sheriff's department’s CALEA (national accreditation) efforts. "I'm happy today to present a check for $8,800 for continuing training," Aylesworth said during the presentation. Pam McKay, the sheriff’s accreditation manager, described how the funds will be used for in-service training and accreditation activities.

The board voted unanimously to accept the Local Government Insurance Trust training grant (project OT1306) and to authorize a related budget amendment increasing the project budget by $8,800. Commissioner Jarbo moved the measure; Commissioner Jarbo and Commissioner Morris participated in the vote sequence that led to a recorded approval.

Separately, the Department of Emergency Services and Technology requested permission to close out three older grants: the 2011 Emergency Management Performance Grant (Project US1212), the 2010 Citizen Corps Program (Project US1166) and the 2009 State Homeland Security Program (Project US1020). Director Bob Kelly outlined how those grants were used (remote dam monitoring, traffic cameras, citizen training and radiological monitoring equipment), and the board voted to approve grant closeouts and related budget adjustments.

Finally, commissioners authorized a spending-plan change under the 2010 State Homeland Security Program to reallocate $34,758 to place 17 AEDs in sheriff patrol vehicles, as recommended by the county medical director. The board approved the purchase, with a plan to cover ongoing maintenance (approximately $10,000 per year for these additional units) through next year’s budget process.

Why it matters: The actions fund training that supports national accreditation for the sheriff’s office, formally close long-running grant projects, and equip patrol units with life-saving AEDs — immediate operational steps for public safety.

Select quotes
"I'm happy today to present a check for $8,800 for continuing training," Tim Aylesworth said about the Local Government Insurance Trust award.
On equipment and use: Emergency Services Director Bob Kelly described AED training as part of deputies' CPR certification and said the first-year maintenance is covered by warranty.

Actions recorded
- Accepted LGIT training grant OT1306, $8,800; motion passed unanimously.
- Approved closeout of EMPG (US1212), Citizen Corps (US1166) and SHSP (US1020) and associated budget amendments; motion passed unanimously.
- Approved spending-plan change to reallocate $34,758 to outfit 17 sheriff's vehicles with AEDs (Project US1120); motion passed unanimously.

Next steps
The sheriff’s office will receive the training funds and Emergency Services will implement the AED purchase; the department will include maintenance costs for the added AEDs in next year’s budget submission.