Oconee County approves DOJ COPS match for two deputies focused on homelessness, contingent on funding source

Oconee County Council on Nov. 18 voted to commit county funds to match a U.S. Department of Justice COPS hiring grant that would fund two sworn deputies dedicated to addressing homelessness.

Staff recommended support for the FY25 COPS hiring grant and asked the council to commit $2,184,056 in matching funds for the positions, plus $128,304 to outfit vehicles for the deputies. Council approved the request on the condition that Interim Administrator Phil Sherry identify the specific funding sources before the county’s commitment is finalized.

Christopher Deco, speaking for Solicitor Black earlier in the meeting, explained grant-match arrangements to the council but the COPS discussion centered on public-safety and social-service coordination. The sheriff described current operational responses and said the deputies would free up the sheriff’s marine and environmental services units to focus on litter and property complaints while the two new deputies concentrate on homelessness-related calls. The sheriff said the county plans to build “a database” to better document individuals experiencing homelessness and said, “the last count that, I heard was 30 homeless people in the county,” while adding he believed there were more.

Council members discussed aligning the new positions with existing local efforts in Seneca and other municipalities and asked staff to coordinate with the city reunification program. A council member moved to approve the commitment with the condition that the interim administrator identify funds; another member seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.

The approval directs staff to proceed with the grant application and to return to council with written confirmation of the funding source and any deadline-related materials. Council members noted deadlines may apply to the DOJ grant and asked staff to prepare required documentation promptly.