Title:
title
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution implementing the Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #27-003 in the Public Safety Grants Fund (Federal) to appropriate funding in the amount of $1,900,000 for the awarded Department of Justice Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) grant to upgrade radios at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office by the Office of Emergency Management. Countywide (Alan Harris, Emergency Management Director)
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Division:
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Emergency Management - Telecommunications
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Authorized By:
Alan Harris, Emergency Management Director
Contact/Phone Number:
Alan Harris/407-665-5017
Background:
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners has been awarded $1.9 million through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) under the Fiscal Year 2026 Technology and Equipment Program (TEP).
TEP provides funding for law enforcement equipment, technology, and interoperable communications that support crime prevention, public safety, and community policing. The County’s award will support the purchase of upgraded vehicular mobile radios for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. These radios are essential to reliable communications among deputies, dispatchers, and other public safety personnel providing critical law enforcement services throughout the County.
The County submitted its $1.9 million Community Project Funding (CPF) request to Congressman Cory Mills in April 2025. Congressman Mills supported the request and advanced it through the congressional appropriations process, securing its inclusion in the FY2026 funding legislation.
Funding was appropriated through the “Minibus Spending Package,” which was approved by Congress and then signed into law on January 23, 2026. Although FY2026 TEP is a noncompetitive program, recipients must complete the federal application and review process before receiving an award. On July 14, 2026, the Board authorized submission of the County’s application for the Vehicular Mobile Radio Upgrade Project.
This is a new grant with a performance period extending from January 23, 2026, through January 31, 2028. No local match is required.
Requested Action:
Staff requests the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution implementing the Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #27-003 in the Public Safety Grants Fund (Federal) to appropriate funding in the amount of $1,900,000 for the awarded Department of Justice Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) grant to upgrade radios at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office by the Office of Emergency Management.