The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 authorized county officials to apply for several federal and state grants to support juvenile services and public-safety technology upgrades.

Lillian Turner, a county court and youth-court judge, told the board that Oktibbeha’s youth court already has been awarded just under $60,000 in federal Title II funding for alternatives-to-detention services. Turner asked permission to submit a third Title II application to request an additional $30,000, bringing the offer to as much as $90,000 for the program if awarded. Turner described how Title II reimbursable funds have paid for GPS monitors for home detention, an employee to monitor daily compliance, drug-testing strips and a restorative community-service program that funds supervisors when youth complete service hours. The board unanimously authorized Judge Turner to submit the application; members noted the grants are 100% reimbursable and that staff positions created under grant terms end if funding ends.

The sheriff’s office requested and received board approval to apply for two FY26 enforcement grants: a T-Bell (narcotics/technology) grant and a DUI enforcement grant, each for $20,000. County representatives described the grants as continuing programs intended to support patrol operations and enforcement efforts; the board approved applications unanimously.

Separately, the board adopted a resolution formally naming the county’s ongoing public-safety equipment upgrades the “Oktibbeha County Public Safety Technology Upgrade Project” and authorized staff to seek funding through Congressman Guest’s office for related equipment. County staff said the Congressman’s allocation opportunity would be 100% up-front funds when available and that the county will finalize a scope and list of eligible items before applying. The motion to name the project and authorize application passed unanimously.

Supervisors emphasized that grant-funded positions are contingent on award terms and that any hiring tied to those grants would be limited to the grant period unless the board chooses otherwise in the future.