Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/21/2025
Item Status: Addendum
From: Anthony E. Lowery, Baldwin County Sheriff; Kim Kelly, BCSO Finance Director; Brian Underwood, Grants Director
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Administrator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Sheriff’s Office - FY 2026 Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council - Community Development Grant Acceptance
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Accept and authorize the Chairman to execute the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Development Grant Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development Council Grant Agreement in the amount of $20,000.00 in local grant funds in support of the County’s TruNarc project; and
2) Authorize the Chairman to sign any other documents related to this grant award.
The term of such agreement is effective on the date of full execution and shall terminate on September 30, 2026.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Staff received notification on October 17, 2025, that the grant application submitted on September 2, 2025, had been approved, with a 14-day window to execute the agreement.
The Gulf Coast Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is actively involved in the management of high-impact projects that address Conservation Education, Community Development, and Resource Conservation opportunities. The FY 2026 Community Development Grant supports projects that enhance public well-being through prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building.
The TruNarc project is essential to reducing the current backlog of controlled substance cases that are congesting the Baldwin County court system. Many of these cases have been pending toxicology results for over four years. TruNarc technology enables the prosecutor's office to obtain drug chemistry test results within minutes, allowing cases to advance more efficiently. This will lead to a reduction in the backlog, facilitate speedier trials, and help ensure that offenders are removed from the streets in a timely manner. The prosecutor's office has indicated that cases may soon be dismissed due to the speedy trial requirement outlined in the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Previous Commission action/date:
September 2, 2025 - Approved the submittal of the FY 2026 Community Development Grant application to the Gulf Coast RC&D Council by staff on behalf of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, requesting $20,000.00 in support of the County’s TruNarc project; and authorized the Chairman to sign any other documents related to the grant application.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $20,000.00 in grant revenues
Budget line item(s) to be used: 10052100.55410 - Capital Outlay Furniture and Equipment
If this is not a budgeted expenditure, does the recommendation create a need for funding? N/A
LEGAL IMPACT
Is legal review necessary for this staff recommendation and related documents?
Yes
Reviewed/approved by: Reviewed and approved by County Attorney on 10/17/2025. (KDT)
Additional comments: N/A
ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS
Is advertising required for this recommendation? N/A
If the proof of publication affidavit is not attached, list the reason: N/A
FOLLOW UP IMPLEMENTATION
For time-sensitive follow up, select deadline date for follow up: N/A
Individual(s) responsible for follow up: Administration email executed Agreement to Katrina Taylor for submittal (Via Email Only).
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed):
cc: Tara Hazelbaker, Finance Director
Christie Bezoari, Accounting Manager
Brian Underwood, Grants Director
Katrina Taylor, Grants Administrator
Shelby Middleton, Senior Grants Accountant
Sheriff Anthony E. Lowery
Kim Kelly, BCSO Finance Director
Chief David White
Additional instructions/notes: N/A