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Augusta County permits sheriff to apply for up to $500,000 domestic violence grant to bolster victim services
Summary
Sheriff Smith asked the board for authorization to apply for a competitive state grant that would fund two domestic violence/victim‑witness positions and equipment; the board authorized application so the county can pursue potential funding, which staff said would cover about 2.5 years of salary for two positions.
The Augusta County Board of Supervisors authorized Sheriff Smith to apply for a competitive grant (discussed in the meeting as a ceasefire/violent‑crime grant administered by the Virginia DCJS) worth up to $500,000 to expand victim services and domestic violence staffing.
Sheriff Smith told the board he discovered the grant while at a conference and concluded the county’s victim‑witness and domestic violence staff are overloaded, particularly with cases spread between the county and Stanton. He said the application seeks funding for a domestic violence coordinator ($70,000) and an assistant ($55,000) plus one‑time equipment costs for office set‑up; staff estimated the ongoing cost of two full positions would be about $240,000 per year after grant funding ends. The sheriff said the grant is competitive and would cover roughly 2.5 years of salaries and equipment if awarded.
Board members pressed about whether the grant required a local match; Sheriff Smith said the county match he showed in the application is illustrative only and not a strict requirement for award. He also said if the county received only a partial award, the department would scale hiring (for example hire one position instead of two). Staff emphasized that authorizing the application does not obligate the county to fund ongoing salaries now; any decisions about continuing the positions when grant funds are exhausted would come in a future budget process.
A supervisor moved to allow the sheriff to apply for the grant and another seconded; the board voted to permit the application. If awarded, the sheriff said hiring and draws on grant funds would begin after paperwork is signed and the award is confirmed.
