Meeting Type: BCC Regular Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/6/2026
Item Status: New
From: Katrina Taylor, Grants and Compliance Manager
Submitted by: Alivia Wade, Grants Coordinator
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ITEM TITLE
Title
Sheriff’s Office - FY 2026 Operation Stonegarden Grant Application
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Take the following actions:
1) Confirm, ratify, and approve the submittal of the FY 2026 Operation Stonegarden Grant application to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) by staff, on behalf of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), requesting $150,000.00 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 application.
Due to time constraints and the submission deadline of September 30, 2026, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office staff submitted the grant application forms electronically prior to Commission approval.
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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, Alabama, and Escambia County, Florida, 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 application budget allocates $48,320.00 for personnel overtime to be utilized by 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. The deputies also specialize in the recovery of stolen vehicles, which are often cloned to mimic the appearance of a legitimate vehicle. Stolen vehicles are frequently altered, re-VINed, repainted, or re-plated to look like legitimate vehicles, making it difficult to determine whether a vehicle is stolen or legitimate.
Secondly, the budget allocates $101,180.00 to purchase two patrol vehicles. Deputies are responsible for interdiction work across Baldwin County. Therefore, Deputies require reliable and well-equipped vehicles that support transportation along interstate routes, coastal access points, and remote areas of the county, and are capable of carrying and deploying specialized detection equipment for interdiction work. The new units will replace ageing vehicles that are no longer dependable and ensure deputies have reliable vehicles to disrupt transnational threats and safeguard Baldwin County.
Previous Commission action/date: N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Total cost of recommendation: $150,000.00 in grant revenues
Budget line item(s) to be used: TBD
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?
N/A
Reviewed/approved by: N/A
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 Staff
Action required (list contact persons/addresses if documents are to be mailed or emailed): Admin - Email NOA to Katrina Taylor.
cc: Roger H. Rendleman, Anthony E. Lowrey, Kim Kelly, Andrew Harville, Tara Hazelbaker, Christie Bezoari, Shelby Middleton, Alivia Wade
Additional instructions/notes: N/A