Committee approves application for EPCRA hazmat response grant with required local match

The Executive & Finance Committee approved applying for an EPCRA State Computer and Hazmat Response Equipment Grant that would fund resources and training to secure dedicated hazmat response coverage for Richland County.

County staff said the grant would pay for training, equipment and certification for county responders and would retain Vernon County’s hazmat team to provide response coverage. Staff said the grant requires a 20% local match and asked the committee to approve the application and the match amount as presented in the meeting packet.

The item passed on a voice vote. Staff described the grant as an existing long‑standing arrangement to ensure hazmat coverage and urged the committee to approve pursuing grant funding to maintain that capability.

The committee recorded the requested local match in the packet; the transcript records the requested match figure as “$15.84 and 75¢” as stated by staff during the meeting. That figure appears in the meeting packet language; the committee approved applying for the grant and the local match as presented.