CCAO Statehouse Report - August 19, 2022

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THE STATEHOUSE REPORT
August 19, 2022

A publication of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio
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Latest $50 million jail grant funding application now available

Above: Governor Mike DeWine announces Harrison County's grant award for construction of a new jail in October 2021. The funds were made available as part of the first round of $50 million in county jail funding, included in Senate Bill 310.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) recently released the application process for the $50 million jail construction and renovation program contained in the most recent state capital appropriations bill (HB 687).

All of the necessary information, including program announcement, application and supporting documents can be access through the following link. The deadline to apply for funding is November 30, 2022.

CCAO strongly encourages members to apply for these grant funds. While $50 million will certainly not satisfy every need, it is critical that state officials see the large demand that exists for these funds. This will help build support for additional rounds of funding in the future.

Members with questions about the grant program can contact CCAO Legislative Counsel Kyle Petty.

Crime Reduction Grant Program releases seventh round of awards

Governor Mike DeWine this week announced the recipients of the latest round of crime reduction grants to 21 local law enforcement agencies across the state.

Grant awards going to county agencies include $215,000 to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office to assist local law enforcement agencies with case investigations. Also receiving grants were the Allen County and Henry County Sheriff’s Offices to pay for retention and/or hiring bonuses to maintain staffing levels, recruit new officers and continue ongoing public safety services.

Also this week, Governor DeWine announced that his office is making an additional $42 million available for crime reduction grants, bringing the total funding for the grant program up to $100 million. Eight million was originally included in the grant program from the state operating budget. Later, and additional $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was invested in the program. The additional $42 million will also be spent from the state’s ARPA funds.

"Violent crime is spiking nationwide, and here in Ohio, I want to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have as much support as possible," said Governor DeWine. "From new equipment to more staff, we're giving our agencies the flexibility to use these grants in ways that make the biggest impact on the safety of their communities."

Uses for this funding include but are not limited to the creation, implementation, and/or expansion of proven or promising violent crime reduction initiatives such as place-network investigations, focused deterrence, hot-spot policing, and crime gun intelligence centers. Grants can also be used for recruitment efforts, retention bonuses, hiring bonuses, payroll costs, technology, equipment, training, technical assistance, analytical tools/support, and overtime costs associated with implementing crime reduction strategies.

H2Ohio incentive program expands to include two-stage ditches

An additional tool to improve water quality as part of the H2Ohio program is now eligible for funding, Governor Mike DeWine announced this week.

“Two-stage ditches” are now eligible for $5 million in H2Ohio grant funding. A two-stage ditch is a modified drainage ditch with includes vegetative benches on either side of the channel to slow waterflow and reduce nutrient runoff downstream.

The H2Ohio program had previously awarded funds to farmers for utilizing seven best management practices: voluntary nutrient management plans, variable rate phosphorus application, subsurface phosphorus placement, manure incorporation, crop rotation, cover crops, and drainage water management. Two stage ditches will now be included in that list of best management practices eligible for funding.

Farmers in the 24 H2Ohio eligible counties can apply for funding for creating two-stages ditches through their local soil and water conservation district and county engineer office. The deadline for applications is November 30.

The H2Ohio program received $170 million in the most recent state biennial budget bill. To date, approximately 2,800 farmers have enrolled in the 24 eligible counties, representing 1.7 million acres of farmland.