Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 7/7/2026
Item Status: New
From: Anthony E. Lowrey, Baldwin County Sheriff; Kim Kelly, BCSO Finance Director; Tara Hazelbaker, Director of Finance
Submitted by: Katrina Taylor, Grants Administrator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Sheriff’s Office - FY 2025 Operation Stonegarden Grant Acceptance
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Accept the Fiscal Year 2025 Operation Stonegarden Grant from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) on behalf of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), in the amount of $100,000.00 in federal funds. Said funds will support enhanced interdiction efforts targeting drug trafficking and related transnational criminal activity along major travel corridors, including Interstates 10 and 65; and
2) Authorize the Chairman to sign any other documents related to this grant award; and
3) Authorize the Grants Administrator to submit the Agreement and any other related documents electronically through the ALEA’s grants portal on behalf of the Baldwin County Commission.
This Agreement is effective as of July 1, 2026, and ends June 30, 2027.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Background: Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) was created in response to growing concerns about transnational threats, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, and terrorism. Baldwin County’s proximity to international waters and its role as a transit hub make it a strategic location. Baldwin County’s collaboration with Mobile County, AL, and Escambia County, FL, creates a strategic tri-county network that strengthens interdiction efforts along major travel corridors like I-10 and I-65, and across coastal access points.
The award budget allocates $67,900.00 for personnel overtime to be utilized by five Deputy Sheriffs. These deputies are primarily tasked with the interdiction of bulk-controlled substances, bulk cash smuggling, human trafficking, and the trafficking of counterfeit merchandise. They also specialize in the recovery of stolen vehicles, which are often cloned to mimic legitimate ones. Secondly, the budget allocates $32,100.00 for a portable device that employs Raman Spectroscopy to identify chemical agents and compounds. This technology enables deputies to detect and analyze chemical substances without physically manipulating or disturbing the item in question. The device is capable of scanning through barriers, in particular packaging, to identify potentially hazardous substances. This functionality significantly reduces the risk of exposure, allowing deputies to conduct safe and efficient field assessments during interdiction operations.
Previous Commission action/date:
9/2/2025 - BCC confirmed, ratified, and approved the submittal of the FY 2025 Operation Stonegarden Grant application to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) by staff on behalf of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), requesting $100,000.00 in federal funds. Said funds will support enhanced interdiction efforts targeting drug trafficking and related transnational criminal activity along major travel corridors, including Interstates 10 and 65; and authorized the Chairman to sign any other documents related to this grant application. Due to time constraints and the submission deadline of August 11, 2025, staff submitted the grant application forms electronically prior to Commission approval.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $100,000.00 in grant revenues
Budget line item(s) to be used: Fund 281 Federal Grants
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 06/25/2026. (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 NOA with agreement.
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed):
cc: Tara Hazelbaker
Christie Bezoari
Katrina Taylor
Shelby Middleton
Anthony E. Lowrey
Kim Kelly
Sergeant Andrew Harville
Additional instructions/notes: N/A