The Marshall County Council approved the request of the Sheriff and Clerk to apply for grants during their meeting Monday.
Sheriff Matt Hassel asked for approval to apply for a grant from the Marshall County Local Coordinating Council (LCC) for the DARE program and a second grant for programming in the jail that could provide literature to inmates to help them understand addiction and the treatments that are available. Hassel said, “Probably 80% of our population is going to have some type of connection with drugs; drug addiction.” He also noted that there is not match required for the LCC grants.
The other grant application approved was for the NextGen 911 grant from the state. Matt Pitney 911 coordinator told the county the commissioners approved the grant last week that would be submitted to purchase a new audio recorder. The current equipment is 10 years old and they are unable to obtain parts for it any more. The machine records all 911 calls and radio traffic. It also records all of the administration lines.
A new recorder is approximately $100,000 and Pitney said the NextGen911 grant is a 60/40 split. If the county is awarded they grant, there is a four year implementation requirement. Pitney indicated he would like to get the recorder in place soon since the old recorder is at its end of life.
Councilwoman Penny Lukenbill asked where they would seek the 40% match from and Sheriff Hassel said he through Cum Cap since the 911 fund is going broke.
The final grant request came the County Clerk Deb VanDeMark. She asked to apply for a 2018 Election Security Grant to get cameras and video recording equipment for the election equipment room, making sure the machines are secured at all times. VanDeMark presented a quote from Vermillion Systems of Walkerton for the security system of $3,886.25.
The county council approved all grant requests presented.
