Committee approves multiple grant applications and reappropriations including $100,000 DCJS Aid-to-Defense award

Several grant and funding items were approved by the Ways & Means Committee on July 8. Public Defender J. R. Santana Carter and Conflict Defender Michael Regan requested reappropriation of $31,952 in unspent 2024 DCJS Aid to Defense funds and also requested acceptance of a new $100,000 DCJS Aid to Defense–Discovery Reform grant to support equipment, training, and discovery reform implementation; both items were approved.

Director of Veterans Service Michael Middaugh received authorization to apply for the Access to Home for Heroes program (county share $125,000 for Oct. 1, 2026–Sept. 30, 2027) and the NYS DVS Outdoor Recreational Therapy grant (county share $15,000, Apr. 1, 2026–Mar. 31, 2027). The committee also approved reappropriation and acceptance of CHIPS and PAVENY allotments increasing the County Road Fund by $989,118, accepted an American Heart Association Mary Vohar Lilley Community Impact Grant of $9,750 for AEDs, and instructed staff to appropriate an insurance recovery check of $8,848.72 for a damaged Kenworth T880 (VIN 1XKZP4TX7SJ165936).