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Under sheriff asks commissioners to accept $726,158 FIFA World Cup grant for operations and equipment
Summary
Under Sheriff Kevin Ritchie told the Spokane County commissioners the county was awarded $726,158 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup grant to fund overtime, travel, training and equipment — including a counter‑UAS certification, a long‑range acoustic device and an agile explosive‑hazard robot — and asked the board to accept the award when paperwork arrives.
Under Sheriff Kevin Ritchie asked the Spokane County Board of Commissioners to accept a $726,158 2026 FIFA World Cup grant intended to support operations for base‑camp and fan‑zone events in Spokane and at Lumen Field in Seattle. Ritchie said the award funds overtime for the explosive‑detection unit, real‑time crime‑center support, flight hours between Seattle and Spokane, travel and training, and three pieces of equipment the sheriff’s office intends to keep after the event.
"One of my favorite things to do is to come ask the board to accept free money," Ritchie said, adding that the grant requires no local match and will pay for items including a long‑range acoustic device to communicate with crowds, a helicopter aerial platform to support aerial overwatch and an "agile" explosive‑hazard robot used for reconnaissance.
Ritchie told commissioners the county would also send a deputy for counter‑UAS certification to operate equipment that detects and interdicts unauthorized drones. He said staff are preparing sole‑source purchase agreements to acquire some equipment on an accelerated timeline so the county can use the resources for the World Cup. Ritchie cautioned that signed grant paperwork had not yet arrived and that, in the worst case, purchases could be initially paid from the sheriff’s budget and later reimbursed if the grant is finalized.
Commissioners asked about reimbursement procedures, whether the award is a reimbursement grant, and whether equipment remains with the county after the events. Ritchie confirmed the grant is structured as reimbursement and that the county would retain the equipment. Commissioners also noted timing constraints: the World Cup schedule and staff availability make a quick procurement and contract execution desirable.
Next steps: Ritchie asked the board to accept the award when the signed paperwork arrives so purchases and training can proceed on the abbreviated timeline.
