Committee approves homeland-security and technology grants, several budget amendments and dispatch overtime

At its Dec. 17 meeting the Putnam County Protective Services Committee approved multiple grant awards and budget amendments, including a State Homeland Security grant allocation and a technology grant for dispatch software.

The committee accepted a State Homeland Security grant award listed in the motion as $234,731. Committee discussion and staff presentation itemized planned expenditures: uniforms ($14,000), equipment ($18,000 medical supplies; $25,000 for other equipment), and a motor vehicle and upfitting budget listed at $95,005 described as inclusive of lights, radios, lettering and other outfitting. Staff confirmed no local match was required. The department explained that some equipment may be provided to local subrecipient teams (for example, the county dive team) under mutual-aid agreements.

Separately, the committee approved a LEAD-TECH/technology grant of $255,000 to buy RapidSOS add-ons and software accessories; staff said the base RapidSOS platform is free but add-ons and integrations require funding. The committee also moved several FYI transfers including a $2,499.83 technology overtime transfer and approved a $43,000 allocation for 9-1-1 dispatch overtime to sustain staffing through year end.

Committee members raised concerns about distribution of grant funds across county bureaus and municipal departments and asked about the ability to make subawards; staff said this particular federal pass-through grant stops at the county and can be allocated to county-level subrecipients only where mutual-aid or formal agreements exist.

Motions to move the grant approvals to audit and to accept FYI transfers were seconded and approved. Staff will proceed with grant administration, vehicle procurement upfitting and dispatch overtime payouts.