Collin County is setting up the budget for a $240,360 state grant that county records say will pay to test the THC content of seized cannabis samples, to reduce a backlog of marijuana cases and to test other drugs from high-level offenders.
The money comes from the Office of the Governor's District Attorney Testing of Forensic Evidence program, requires no county match and covers Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027, according to the county's budget office. Commissioners accepted the award Sept. 21, and the auditor's budget entry is listed for the court's Monday, Oct. 19 meeting as an informational notice, not an item for a vote.
The records do not say how many cases are waiting or where the testing will be done.
Body cameras for deputies
Two other governor's office grants are on the same list.
The Sheriff's Office will use $49,947.24 in state money and a $16,649.08 county match, $66,596.32 in all, to buy 64 body-worn cameras for patrol and specialized units, according to the budget office. The match comes from the Sheriff's Office federal forfeiture fund, which the auditor said held $430,937.01 as of Sept. 3 and would drop to $414,287.91 after the match.
A $12,292.50 grant, with no match required, buys four sets of rifle-resistant body armor for the Precinct 2 constable's office.
Also on Monday's agenda
Among other items, commissioners are scheduled to approve advertising for bids to fix subsurface water intrusion at the Sheriff's Office, paid from the county's permanent improvement fund; to reject all proposals for restoring the granary and confinement building at Myers Park; and to approve a roughly $13,000-a-year agreement with Operation Kindness for veterinary care at the county animal shelter starting Dec. 1.
A Children's Advocacy Center update from the Precinct 1 commissioner is listed for discussion; no materials were posted with it.
The court meets at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Jack Hatchell Administration Building, 2300 Bloomdale Road in McKinney.
