Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Safety Committee approves several budget amendments and recognizes state grants
Summary
The committee approved multiple budget amendments and grant recognitions including a $350,000 transfer to Assigned Counsel, recognition of DCJS Pre‑Trial funding ($143,029) and a Crime Victims grant ($144,773.01), and approved the DA's 2026 forfeiture spending plan ($30,194.44).
The Washington County Public Safety Committee on Jan. 27 approved several budget amendments and grant recognitions affecting multiple departments.
Assigned Counsel Supervising Attorney Tom Cioffi requested an emergency transfer of $350,000 from the General Fund balance to pay 2025 bills, citing staff losses and an increased caseload: "This year has been a difficult year for them. The Public Defender lost several people and they have had to absorb those costs. They have had about twelve hundred more cases than the Public Defender this year." The motion to transfer $350,000 was moved by Mr. O’Brien, seconded by Mr. Hahn, and adopted; the item will be forwarded to the Finance Committee.
Alternative Sentencing Director Sue Mowrey obtained committee approval to carry over $1,666.32 from a Rural Communities of Practice grant for accounting purposes and to recognize $143,029 in DCJS Pre‑Trial Services funding for 2026; committee members noted the DCJS funds are 100% state dollars with no local match requirement.
District Attorney Tony Jordan asked the committee to accept a Crime Victims grant award for 2025–2026 totaling $144,773.01; the committee approved acceptance and forwarded it to Finance. Jordan also presented a 2026 crime forfeiture spending plan totaling $30,194.44, which the committee approved and forwarded to the full Board.
All motions noted above were recorded as approved and forwarded to the appropriate county committees for final action or finance processing.
