Gov. Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Public Safety has approved a total of over $9.9 million in grants to 43 sheriff’s offices across the state for security and other improvements to local jails.
One of the recipients is the Platte County Sheriff’s Department, which receives $233,879.38.
The local sheriff’s office says it will use grant proceeds to pay for half the cost to build a video conference room at the jail.
“Going to court by video conference is the future. Platte County courts made a hard and fast adjustment during COVID to allow people to go to court without driving to Platte City. We are now benefitting from having significantly fewer people walking in and out of our courthouse for short court appearances,” said Joe Vanover, second district county commissioner.
“As a former sheriff, I know how important it is for Missouri jails to have adequate security systems and updated equipment to help provide safety for deputies, jail personnel, and the communities they serve,” Parson said. “These grants are an investment in jail infrastructure that will help provide better safety and working conditions in our jails across the state.”
Jail improvements include cell door lock upgrades, video surveillance equipment, full-body scanners, HVAC improvements, and other maintenance and improvement projects. The funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and was part of Governor Parson’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget plan.
Eligible grant expenditures are maintenance and improvement projects. The grants require a local match of 50 percent. For example, if the total cost of a project is $40,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $20,000 and the ARPA share of the grant would be $20,000. Local ARPA grant funds may be utilized for the local match. In-kind matches may be retroactive to March 2020.
Grant amounts varied based on the scale and scope of grant applications submitted by applicants. The Missouri Department of Public Safety is the grant administrator.
Vanover said “Sheriff Mark Owen’s quick action to find and apply for a state grant to pay for half of the cost to build a video conference room at the jail will save the county over $200,000. The grant opportunity was released by the Missouri Governor’s office in December 2022. The sheriff’s department was able to submit the grant application within three weeks.
“Preparing and submitting a grant application is normally a lengthy and difficult process. It is remarkable that the sheriff’s office could put together a grant application of this size in such a short amount of time.”