Commissioners agree to advance $30,000 for TAB law-enforcement grant, sheriff says state will reimburse

The board considered an amendment to a prior agenda item to authorize the board president to execute a Trumbull County subgrant agreement and to advance $30,000 to a TAB law-enforcement grant task force, with reimbursement to follow from the Office of Criminal Justice.

John O'Malley of the sheriff's office explained the procedural shift: "When we accepted the award, the state was giving the money upfront. There's been a lot of changes ... they're not really inclined to put the money up front" and counties now typically spend and then request reimbursement, similar to JAG-style grants. The amendment and clarification were presented as a technical change so the county can advance funds and later seek reimbursement.

County staff said the amendment was submitted by Mr. Alberti and that the request is solely to advance funds pending state reimbursement; accounting will track the advance and repayment when funds are returned by the state agency.