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Grant Application & Allocate Additional FTE – North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program – Union County Sheriff’s Office Toxicology Lab Expansion
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dorothy Thomas, Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Finance Administrator, 704-283-3578
ACTION REQUESTED:
1) Adopt Resolution, 2) authorize the County Manager to submit the GHSP grant application and provide required assurances and certifications associated with the grant application as substantially consistent with this agenda item, which includes the authorization to execute documents related to award of the grant and budget funds as appropriate, and 3) authorize the addition of one (1) FTE.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
1) February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #26-071 – Authorized County Manager to submit the associated grant application and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant application as substantially consistent with this agenda item.
2) September 21, 2026, Regular Meeting, Agenda Item #26-530 - Item removed from Consent Agenda for consideration at a future meeting.
BACKGROUND:
The Union County Sheriff’s Office is eligible to receive a grant from the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP). The grant will fund one (1) position in the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Lab, with no local match required.
The Crime Lab is expanding toxicology services to surrounding counties, increasing the volume of blood alcohol and blood drug kits associated with Driving While Impaired (DWI) cases. This regional expansion allows agencies in neighboring jurisdictions to send blood toxicology kits directly to Union County’s Crime Lab for testing.
The GHSP grant provides funding for:
One (1) Forensic Chemist I (Pay Grade M)
This position will increase caseload capacity, reduce processing times, alleviate backlogs, and minimize delays that can contribute to speedy-trial issues or case dismissals. Faster turnaround times support higher c...
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