Commissioners weigh shifting sheriff purchases to 287(g) grant to reduce general-fund burden

County staff and the sheriff discussed using federal and state grant dollars to shift several sheriff epartment purchases off the Parker County general fund. Chair opened the meeting saying the sheriff—udget would be the day—ocus; staff then walked commissioners through items that could be paid with grant money rather than the general fund.

Kim Rivas, asked to walk the group through capital and noncapital equipment lines, said staff had removed several items from the general-fund request after reviewing grant eligibility. Rivas reported a combined amount staff identified as removable from the general-fund request (transcript figures unclear as presented on the record); she said there remained a referenced total of "$1,943,133." Rivas added there is also a $500,000 allocation noted for the sheriff—rom an SB22 funding line.

The sheriff described the origin and intended use of the federal funds: "Those are grant monies. They're incentive monies. The federal government, we partner with ICE, and, they're throwing incentive monies out at us," he said, explaining the items are still planned for purchase but would be bought with grant receipts as they are received. The sheriff and staff said items that strengthen radio maintenance, custody operations and other Sheriff—unctions can have a nexus to the grant nd therefore be acceptable uses.

Commissioners agreed to keep grant-eligible items visible on a separate list so they could be ranked for funding and to continue the sheriff—udget discussion in a follow-up session later in the week. Rivas said staff will provide clarifying billing and accounting details before finalizing rollovers and allocations.