The Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Office hopes to secure several grants in the coming months.
The Board of Supervisors Monday approved the department”s plans to apply for various grants, including a grant to convert county vehicles to run on propane and gasoline. Three sheriff”s department vehicles are eligible for the grant. The department received permission to also include seven additional county-owned vehicles in the grant proposal, since the grant can be used for up to 10 eligible vehicle.
The grant includes installation costs and doesn”t require matching funds from the county. Ford and Chevrolet trucks are eligible.
The department also is applying for a $5,000 Mississippi Justice Assistance Grant to update radio equipment and a $500,000 grant from the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security to upgrade its records system.
In other matters, the board:
- Approved the Browning Creek community Volunteer Fire Department”s request to apply to the state for a rating. The area currently is class 10 on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being the best rating. A better rating could help lower insurance premiums, particularly on wood-frame houses, for area homeowners.
- Approved fourth quarter budget allocations for jail operation ($331,699) , sheriff”s office ($478,220) and county tax assessor ($120,074).
- Approved the reappointment of Leon Mathis to the board of trustees for OCH Regional Medical Center. Mathis will serve a five-year term.
- Approved the refinancing of a road bond, which will see the county save $75,000 over the next 10 years.
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