Pubdate: Sun, 31 Jul 2005
Source: Bryan-College Station Eagle (TX)
Copyright: 2005 The Bryan-College Station Eagle
Contact:  http://www.theeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1132
Author: Melissa Sullivan

DRUG TASK FORCE MAY LOSE MONEY

The Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force may receive less funding next year 
because of budget cuts being made at the federal level, but officials say 
that won't stop what they do.

Sheriff Chris Kirk said the task force normally receives federal funding 
through the Texas governor's office totaling more than $800,000. But there 
is talk that the amount could be slashed by up to 30 percent, he said.

"[The governor's office has] made it clear that there is a possibility that 
we will see a reduction," Kirk said in a recent interview. "I am very 
hopeful that they will fund us at similar levels we have seen in the past."

Local law enforcement agencies chip in about $200,000 to fund operations of 
the task force, which targets drug activity in several Brazos Valley 
counties. The annual budget is about $1.2 million.

The organization uses the money it receives through the governor's office 
to pay for equipment, salaries and vehicles. Kirk said that no matter how 
much less the task force might receive in grant funding, it "would still 
provide the best narcotics enforcement" for the area.

Robert Black, a spokesman for the governor's office, said he was not sure 
how much the task force will receive for the next fiscal year.

But he did confirm cuts were made at the federal level, so a cut in the 
local funding is possible.

The granting period usually runs through August, Black added.

"We'll have to wait and see until we get to that point," he said.

The drug-fighting unit was established in 1989 when the Brazos County 
Narcotics Task Force was merged with similar groups from other counties. 
The Brazos Valley Narcotics Task Force employs agents from four counties - 
Brazos, Grimes, Madison and Burleson - and operates separately from police 
departments.

Sim Lucas, commander of the task force since May, said the 12-member team 
will still operate if funding is reduced. But he is not sure where 
adjustments would have to be made, saying it would depend on the amount of 
the cut.

"If we get cut, it will make it a whole lot harder to cover the four 
counties with the miles we drive," he said, citing the increase in gasoline 
prices.

But, Lucas said, a majority of the drug busts conducted by the task force 
are in Brazos County because of the higher population and the presence of 
Texas A&M University.

In the next month, task force board members will submit a budget request to 
the government in hopes that the group will be fully funded. Meanwhile, 
Kirk said, all they can do is wait and continue to work.

"It's hard for us to speculate," he said. "Obviously, we hope we get fully 
funded, but whatever level of funding we get, we will do our best to battle 
this problem in our communities."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom