County approves application to Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to support human-trafficking task force

District Attorney Pier Huskar and probation staff asked the board for permission to apply jointly for a Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to support the county's human-trafficking task force. Probation indicated it would request $89,000 for tasers and asked that approximately $100,000 of the $250,000 allotment be used to replace a $50,000 line-item the county currently covers.

"Probation is asking for $89,000 for tasers," a staff member said. "The remainder of the $250,000 allotment we would then be asking for... $100,000 of that would be to replace what's otherwise listed in our line item budget annually so instead of the county being responsible for that, it would come from the grant."

Commissioners approved a motion to allow staff to apply for the grant. Staff noted the grant is competitive, requires a local match, and that notification of award will determine whether the county must provide matching funds. The application deadline was noted in the meeting; the grant would cover a two-year project period.