MONTICELLO – The full Sullivan County Legislature voted unanimously last week for the County Manager Joshua Potosek to apply for and accept two grant awards from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) for the fiscal year 2024. 

According to Legislative Chair Nadia Rajsz, there is a short turnaround time for the two resolutions, which is why they needed to hold the special meeting and approve the grants. 

The first grant awarded to the county is the FY2024 Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG) Award for funding in the amount of $32,678. This reimbursable grant program from DHSES provides funding to assist local governments in preparing for all hazards and emergencies.  

The performance period began on October 1, 2023 and runs through September 30, 2026. Sullivan County must also provide a local match equal to the funding amount of $32,678. 

The second grant awarded is the FY2024 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Award which provides funding in the amount of $179,249 for the law enforcement community to support their terrorism prevention and preparedness efforts.

“The HSGP Award is split with the Sheriff’s Office,” said Sullivan County 9-1-1 Coordinator Alex Rau. “Some of it goes to law enforcement and terrorism activity, and it’s an annual allocation from the state.”

Also administered by DHSES, the FY2023 HSGP is a reimbursable, two-part grant program in which Federal guidelines require 35 percent of the allocated amount to be directed to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities. 

Sullivan County is not required to provide any local cash match for this grant. 

Sullivan County Undersheriff Eric Chaboty mentioned that the county receives these grants every year from Homeland Security.

“It enables us to get additional equipment from Homeland Security related to their mission,” Chaboty said. “We get the grants yearly, but it’s different Homeland Security-related equipment each year. We also don’t have to specify what type of equipment we will be acquiring when we apply for the grant.”