Commission hears tech grants

The Howell County Commission approved two grant applications for technology for the Sheriff's Office and local emergency management during meetings last week. The commission also held a long-scheduled Friday meeting to approve payroll. 

 

The first grant discussion was for Grant 19-33 with sheriff-elect Matt Roberts for the Sheriff's Office. This grant is through the MFA Oil Foundation. The foundation does grants for general organizations, such as the Sheriff's Office, according to Roberts. The Sheriff's Office can apply for these grants every other year and, this year, they are applying for funding to cover the cost of a drone and a protective case for it at a cost of $1,907.99. The commission questioned Roberts on the need for a drone, aware that drones have been used in their investigations before. He told the commission that there are drones that certain deputies privately own and one that is owned by the local Drug Task Force and housed at the West Plains Police Department. While the Sheriff's Office has access to the latter drone, this grant would allow for one on-duty deputy to have one on hand. Presiding Commissioner Riggs asked Roberts how many deputies have a FAA 101 license to fly the drones. “We have one deputy now that currently has it,” said Roberts. “We are going to send two to a (FAA) training in Kansas in January. The task force is paying for that.” The commission approved the grant application unanimously. 

 

The second grant discussed was Grant 33-20 for Howell County Emergency Management. This is a grant one hundred percent funded by the Emergency Management Performance Grant. Emergency Manager Mike Coldiron called this a “mini” grant that comes from leftover funds. This year, he asked for the funding to replace two tablets that are unable to upgrade to Windows 11. Coldiron said the total for replacement tablets would be $4,695.68 for two Microsoft Surface tablets. The commission also unanimously approved this grant application. 

 

The Howell County Commissioners are Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs, Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood, and Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton. The commission meets in regular session on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The meetings remain open during the lunch hour and are open to the public. Contact the commissioners' chamber by phone at (417) 256-3872.