Homeland Security Items OK’d by County

By

Three agenda items related to homeland security grants were approved by the Washtenaw County board of commissioners at its Jan. 16, 2013 meeting.

The county board was asked to authorize a change in fiduciary for homeland security grants. The Southeast Michigan Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) board oversees homeland security funding and policy for this region. The UASI has named Macomb County as regional fiduciary. Previously, Oakland County held that designation. The change requires that Washtenaw County sign a new inter-local fiduciary agreement with Macomb County before any funds from previously awarded grants can be distributed.

The county is receiving $816,713 in 2011 federal homeland security grant funds, for a period through May 30, 2014. The emergency services division of the county sheriff’s office has identified 10 projects to be funded with the grant, which will also help pay for three employees in that division. Allocations include $106,948 for the Washtenaw Metro SWAT Team; $87,500 for outdoor warning sirens; $82,000 for a vehicle and equipment for the Washtenaw County Hazardous Materials Response Team; and $75,000 for the Washtenaw County Road Commission to buy mobile, portable, and control station radios.

An additional $308,202 from a separate 2012 homeland security grant – for a period through May 31, 2014 – will fund a new standby power generator for the road commission ($150,000) and additional outdoor warning sirens ($125,202), among other projects.

According to a staff memo, Washtenaw County has received about $8.29 million in homeland security grants since 2001.

This brief was filed from the boardroom of the county administration building at 220 N. Main in Ann Arbor. A more detailed report will follow: [link]