Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sheriff Equipment And Budgets topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee pre‑files resolutions for Sheriff’s Office vehicle, protective gear and corrections equipment
Summary
The committee approved pre‑filing resolutions for multiple Sheriff’s Office purchases — a 12‑passenger transport van using federal seized asset funds, six protection hoods for corrections officers, four replacement vests and a safety/restraint chair — and noted a $564,000 domestic violence grant the Department of Social Services will allocate across agencies.
Putnam County’s Protective Services Committee on Nov. 12 moved to pre‑file necessary resolutions for several Sheriff’s Office purchases and took note of a new domestic‑violence grant awarded to county social services.
Sheriff Brian Hess said the department is looking to use Federal seized asset funds to buy and upfit a 12‑passenger personnel transport van to consolidate staff transportation; he said he will explore leasing versus purchasing. Senior Deputy County Attorney Heather Abissi said asset‑forfeiture funds may be used for law enforcement purposes. Chairman Jonke moved to pre‑file the necessary resolution; Legislator Birmingham seconded and the minutes record "All in favor."
Separately, the committee approved pre‑filing resolutions for Fund Transfer 25T358 to purchase six hoods that will allow officers to shelter and escort inmates in case of a fire, and for Fund Transfer 25T363 to buy four bullet‑resistant vests for corrections staff (half covered by grant funds). Sheriff Hess noted the vests have a five‑year lifespan. The committee also approved pre‑filing a resolution to replace an out‑of‑service safety/restraint chair in the corrections facility.
Deputy Commissioner Ralph Falloon said Emergency Services acquired a surplus vehicle from Westchester County for $1; the vehicle’s outfitting had not been budgeted, resulting in unplanned chargebacks. Probation’s FYI request for ammunition (Fund Transfer 25T391) was duly noted.
Commissioner Servadio told the committee that Putnam County received a $564,000 Crisis Intervention Programming Grant in the second quarter of 2025 to establish a Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) line, provide attorney stipends, pay overtime for a clinician responding to domestic‑violence calls, and fund Sheriff’s Office training and backfill; she said she will establish budget lines so each department can manage its portion of the award.
Procedural note: the meeting minutes record the committee's motions as pre‑filings with the phrase "All in favor," but do not include a roll‑call tally in the record. The committee did not vote to appropriate county general‑fund dollars for these purchases during the Nov. 12 meeting; the motions were to pre‑file resolutions for later legislative consideration.
