Grant Budget Accepted for Fayette Co Sheriff's Department

Grant Budget for Fayette County Sheriff's Department was narrowly accepted by the Fayette County Commissioners Court in a special meeting on Thursday, May 2nd. Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, April 29th, grant budgets were accepted for the County Attorney's Office and Constables unanimously. However, at that meeting, there was an objection to accepting the grant budget for the Sheriff's Department. During the most recent meeting, Commissioners Harvey Berckenhoff and Jason McBroom objected to how the Sheriff plans to use the money. The County Auditor Cindy Havelka and Commissioner Jason McBroom stated that they wanted a special grant order accepted by the Court.
Grant Specialist Angela Hahn and Assistant County Attorney Blake Watson, impressed upon the Commissioners Court that the budgets provided by the Sheriff's Department was appropriate, and lawful, and met the requirements of the code. Sheriff Korenek informed the Court that he intends to use the money to raise salaries across the board in his department, including jailers. Sheriff Korenek stated, "The grant stipulates that the money is to be used to increase salaries and that is what I intend to do." During the meeting, Commissioners Berckenhoff and McBroom objected to the Court approving how the Sheriff was utilizing the funds. Following a lengthy discussion, Judge Mueller asked for a vote. The vote to accept and approve the budget for the grant funds for the Sheriff's Department was approved by a 3 to 2 vote with Commissioners Luke Sternadel and Drew Brossmann and Judge Mueller voting for passage and Berckenhoff and McBroom voting against passage.
Mueller concluded "Roughly 90% of the 254 counties in Texas qualified to apply for this grant. I'm glad Fayette County qualified. The legislature recognized a need to bolster law enforcement, and the prosecution of people that break the law, I am glad we are capturing this money."