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County and schools to accept nearly $469,000 COPS school-safety grant with $156,248 local match
Summary
Burke County approved a $624,991 project funded by the Stop School Violence (COPS) grant program — $468,743 federal award and $156,248 required local match — to fund lighting at Rea Park, cameras, card access, and portable metal detectors; the board authorized a budget amendment and grant execution.
Burke County commissioners voted Nov. 17 to accept and fund a Stop School Violence (COPS) grant project with a total project cost of $624,991. The federal award will cover $468,743 of the total; the county and the Burke County Public Schools will provide the required 25% local match of $156,248 (the schools contributing $116,248 and the county $40,000).
Senior finance analyst Lindsay Stockman told the board the competitive federal program funds safety equipment and infrastructure over a three-year grant period. The school system proposed several projects, including finishing field lighting at Rea Park, adding cameras and card-access systems at schools, and portable metal detectors for athletic events. Rea Park lighting was described as a county-led project while the schools plan to prioritize high schools and work down to lower grades as funding allows.
Commissioners voted to approve Budget Amendment Number 5 in the amount of $624,991 and authorized the deputy county manager/finance director to execute the grant documents on behalf of the board. The county manager confirmed the county’s $40,000 cash match is available in the out-year capital plan and would not require an additional appropriation at this time.
Stockman said the grant is competitive and selective; she noted the FY2024 COPS office received over 1,000 applications for roughly $73 million in available funding. The board approved the motion 5–0.
The grant is a three-year federal award and will be implemented in coordination with Burke County Public Schools. The county and schools will monitor expenditures and report as required under the grant terms.
