The Brown County Sheriff’s Office may benefit from a new grant program being offered by Texas Association of Counties. According to TAC representative Mike Strawn, TAC provides insurance coverage for Texas counties, and has decided to give some of their earnings back to the counties they serve.
Strawn stated that there is $750,000 up for grabs in competitive grants available to counties across the state. Award size will depend on the number of counties applying for the grant and Brown County’s maximum award could be $8954 for law enforcement and $27,084 in general grant funds, according to Strawn. He stated that this short term grant program will begin taking applications through the deadline of July 1st, when counties must submit projects for reimbursement which help lower their county’s liabilities or possible insurance claims. Such projects could include replacing sidewalks that provide a hazard to pedestrians, training for county employees on new equipment, safety vests for workers and for law enforcement, funds to help replace much needed equipment such as the in car video cameras used to record traffic stops that Brown County Sheriff’s Office is in dire need to replace.
According to BSCO Chief Deputy Vance Hill, two of the fleet’s patrol vehicles currently have inoperable cameras and others are working with costly repairs of outdated equipment. Hill stated that he received an estimate from WatchGuard to replace 12 cameras for approximately $59,000 and that there will be a $100 installation cost per car. Although the TAC grant could not cover the complete cost of all of the cameras, it would provide a small portion of the cost. County officials are looking to see what funds from the county could be used. Hill is researching to see if WatchGuard is a Buy Board company or if there is a need to go out for bids on the equipment. He stated that this was the only company that offered this type of in car camera. The matter will be addressed again at the next meeting of the court, according to County Judge Ray West.
In other matters on Monday’s agenda:
*Chief Deptuy Hill reported that BCSO had recently received a National Rifle Association grant in the amount of $2901.88. The use of these funds was approved by commissioners for the purchase of 7 Benelli Nova tactical shotguns. Hill also stated that BSCO will be purchasing extra clips and side saddles for the firearms. The total cost of the shotguns and clips will be approximately $2922, leaving a cost of just $20 to the county after the application of the NRA grant funds, said Hill. Hill also reported that the Brown County Jail had a population of 177 as of Monday morning.
*Commissioners approved County Surveyor Don King’s request of up to $1000 compensation for reviewing the new FEMA Plat. King stated that for this compensation, he will review the plat and report any problem areas or concerns to the commissioners’ court.