Budget committee tables drone appropriation amid privacy concerns, approves fourth year of JAG reentry funding

Budget director Chad Martin presented two budget amendments to the Budget Committee: a $33,000 appropriation reflecting a contribution tied to a "Guardian of White County" drone (donation from Ascension/St. Thomas) and a $177,466 federal JAG grant to continue jail reentry services for a fourth year.

Several commissioners and public commenters raised privacy and operational concerns about the donated drone and asked for more detail on recurring subscription costs (estimated at $4–5,000/year), who would operate and audit the device and how data would be stored and used. Because the appropriation carries potential ongoing costs and privacy implications, a motion to table the drone appropriation until later in the year carried.

The committee approved the JAG grant for jail reentry services and will send that amendment to the full County Commission. Chad Martin noted the JAG funds are grant‑funded and will appear in next year’s budget for any required subscription fees.

Commissioners also handled several procurement items and approved RFQ and bid recommendations to Kimberly Horn & Associates and ConTech for grant‑related architecture/engineering and pipe supplies, respectively.