SALISBURY – More than $714,000 in grant funding is expected to benefit the Circuit Court for Wicomico County.
Last week, the Wicomico County Council voted unanimously to accept $714,553 in grant funding on behalf of the Wicomico County Circuit Court for security upgrades and programs.
In the months of April and May, the Administrative Office of the Courts awarded the circuit court $72,690 for security upgrades, including X-ray machines and camera systems, $266,037 for personnel and service costs within the Family Services Program, $318,000 for personnel and service costs within the Adult Drug Court Program, and $54,553 for additional security measures.
“The Court requests funding to install additional access controls on doors to limit the number of hard keys in circulation,” a memo within the grant documents reads. “This phase of access control additions includes doors to mechanical and IT rooms accessed by vendors and would allow the distribution of a vendor-specific fob to those working in the building … The requested video intercoms will allow court staff to communicate with and screen those requesting entrance to secure areas.”
The grant funding awards also include $3,273 for COVID-19 protective barriers such as window inserts and acrylic barriers.
“The Acrylic barriers with hole for temperature screening will be installed at the three security screening stations at the courthouse’s entrance area and will provide an additional barrier (masks are required) between the public and security staff who will screen entrants using a no-touch infrared thermometer,” a memo reads. “The window inserts will be installed in the existing doorways of the Clerk’s Offices where the public interacts with staff.”
Because the grants are considered pass-through funds from the state, officials noted the county would not be required to provide a local match.
With no further discussion, the council voted to accept the $714,553 in grant funding on behalf of the Wicomico County Circuit Court.
