Oktibbeha County adopts policy allowing grant funds to pay salaried officers for DUI and seat-belt roadblocks

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a resolution and administrative policy that allows the county to use federal or state DUI and seat-belt enforcement grant funds to provide supplemental compensation to salaried (exempt) law-enforcement personnel who participate in grant-funded roadblocks.

County administration explained the change as a way to align grant rules and local practice: the grants incentivize participation in roadblocks to detect DUIs and seat-belt violations, but salaried officers are not automatically paid for overtime; the new policy permits using grant proceeds to compensate salaried staff who work roadblocks tied to grant goals. The county administrator said the policy applies specifically to the DUI and seat-belt grant programs and the associated roadblocks.

Supervisors asked procedural questions about grant accounting and compliance; the administrator said the policy is limited to the grant programs discussed and that the county has mechanisms to track participation. The board approved the resolution on the record; multiple supervisors responded "Aye." The administrator noted the county will monitor goals and adjust as necessary.

Why it matters: Grant-funded compensation can increase officer participation in enforcement initiatives without requiring the county to absorb all incremental personnel costs, but it requires careful accounting and compliance with grant terms.

Next steps: County staff will implement tracking procedures and report back if adjustments to goals or accounting practices are needed.