DRUG TASK FORCE GETS FUNDING

Less than a week ago, the DeKalb County Drug Task Force was unsure
whether funding would be available for an annual $100,000 grant.

But DeKalb County Drug Task Force Director Darrell Collins said
Friday his fears were put to rest when the U.S. Senate passed a $12.5
million budget for drug task enforcement across the state.

"There is actually a little more money available this year than in
the past," Collins said.

He said there had been talk the grant would cease to exist, but was
happy that did not prove to be the case.

"We could have functioned without the money, but not to the degree we
are now," Collins said. "Especially with gasoline prices the way they
are now."

He said the grant money helps to offset operation and equipment costs.

So, during the DeKalb County Commission meeting Tuesday, Collins said
a decision would once again have to be made on whether or not to pass
a matching grant.

"We've been getting the grant for six years," Collins said.

He explained that originally it was a grant that needed a 25 percent
match.

But then a couple of years ago, according to Collins, the grant went
to a 50/50 grant.

As for what the current grant will be, Collins said the state was
still working on ironing out those details.

"Hopefully, we will know something by [today's] meetings," Collins
said.

DeKalb County Administrator Matt Sharp said it would be up to the
commission to decided if it wants to provide the 50 percent match,
which is funded by the operations of the Task Force.