Comment on funding expenditures

The Jefferson County Commission is hosting a public hearing Tuesday, March 2, on funding targeted to support search and rescue and firefighting efforts in the national forest.

The $275,192 in Title III funds, authorized through the Secure Rural Schools Act, is targeted for distribution to four areas in Jefferson County — search and rescue ($62,160); the Sheriff’s Office ($141,525); Disaster and Emergency Services ($62,386); and the community wildfire protection plan ($9,121).

The largest chunk, which is going to the Sheriff’s Office, is for equipment, said Commissioner Cory Kirsch.