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Board reviews Stonegarden grant; supervisors discuss FEMA funding, administration and sheriff’s oversight
Summary
Supervisors discussed the recurring Stonegarden grant (FEMA) used for cross‑border and policing priorities, possible refocus toward drug‑smuggling efforts, and the administrative placement of the grant within county finance rather than the sheriff’s office.
The board discussed the Stonegarden grant — a recurring program originating with FEMA and administered through state partners — and whether administration should be centralized in the county finance office rather than handled within the sheriff’s department.
Ken Foster, who briefed the board, noted that employee‑related expenses (EREs) funded by the grant cover current personnel costs but do not address unfunded pension liabilities. Supervisors expressed concern about continuity and oversight: several referenced a 2021 discussion that recommended moving administration to the county finance department to centralize monitoring and reporting. One supervisor said the county should consider assigning finance staff to administer the grant even if the sheriff hires dedicated finance personnel, citing county authority under A.R.S. 11‑251 to oversee departmental finances.
FEMA origin and focus: Staff said Stonegarden funds come from FEMA and are subject to federal program rules; the sheriff’s office has used the program to staff cross‑border operations and drug‑smuggling interdiction. Supervisors asked staff to revisit the 2021 materials and consider transferring administration to finance to improve oversight and transparency. No formal vote was recorded at the work session.
