LUDOWICI — The Commander of the Multi Agency Crack Enforcement Drug Task Force recently asked the Long County commissioners for additional funding for 2009-10.
According to Al Cato the “worst case scenario” would be Long County paying $81,000.
“We’ve been assured of at least $140,000 from the state and over the next couple of weeks, we’ll know the exact figures we will be getting,” the commander said.
According to Cato, Long County budgeted $66,900 during 2008-09, but received a refund of $11,500, meaning that the county’s actual contribution was $55,400.
Cato said he anticipated receiving more state funding and if the agency does the figure from the county would be lower. He also said he anticipates having a surplus at the end of this year. If that happens the contribution from Long County would be close to what was budgeted for 2008-09.
Cato also asked commissioners to consider adding an agent from the Long County Sheriff’s Department to the MACE team.
According to Cato, the last time the team requested an increase in personnel was in 1997.
After a brief discussion by the commissioners, Cato was told to get with Sheriff Cecil Nobles to address the additional personnel request and to see if that funding could be obtained from a grant.
Commissioners then approved supporting the MACE team for the 2009-10 with the amount to be determined after the state figures were set.
MACE works drug cases in Long and Liberty counties and all of the municipalities within those counties.
Also at the county meeting:
• Commissioners reported they were were still looking to establish a committee to address the animal control problem. Two members had already been selected from the second and fifth districts, but there still three positions to fill.
• Reappointed Joe Sullivan to the Long County Library Board.
• Reported that 25 new homes had been sold in 2009, and that there still were 204 open building permits.
• Commended the road department for the work done during the recent heavy rain and the code enforcement office for work with storm water management.
According to Al Cato the “worst case scenario” would be Long County paying $81,000.
“We’ve been assured of at least $140,000 from the state and over the next couple of weeks, we’ll know the exact figures we will be getting,” the commander said.
According to Cato, Long County budgeted $66,900 during 2008-09, but received a refund of $11,500, meaning that the county’s actual contribution was $55,400.
Cato said he anticipated receiving more state funding and if the agency does the figure from the county would be lower. He also said he anticipates having a surplus at the end of this year. If that happens the contribution from Long County would be close to what was budgeted for 2008-09.
Cato also asked commissioners to consider adding an agent from the Long County Sheriff’s Department to the MACE team.
According to Cato, the last time the team requested an increase in personnel was in 1997.
After a brief discussion by the commissioners, Cato was told to get with Sheriff Cecil Nobles to address the additional personnel request and to see if that funding could be obtained from a grant.
Commissioners then approved supporting the MACE team for the 2009-10 with the amount to be determined after the state figures were set.
MACE works drug cases in Long and Liberty counties and all of the municipalities within those counties.
Also at the county meeting:
• Commissioners reported they were were still looking to establish a committee to address the animal control problem. Two members had already been selected from the second and fifth districts, but there still three positions to fill.
• Reappointed Joe Sullivan to the Long County Library Board.
• Reported that 25 new homes had been sold in 2009, and that there still were 204 open building permits.
• Commended the road department for the work done during the recent heavy rain and the code enforcement office for work with storm water management.