Lucas County Replaces Federal Border Enforcement Grant Funding

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Lucas County commissioners have approved $68,250 from the county's general fund to replace a federal border enforcement grant that the county backed out of earlier this month. The increased patrols near Jerusalem Township in eastern Lucas County were previously funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the parent agency of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Why it matters

The decision to reject the federal grant and replace the funding from the county's general fund comes after Commissioner Pete Gerken called ICE a 'terrorist organization' when the county initially backed out of the grant. This move has drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers, but the commissioners say it is necessary to ensure the Jerusalem Township area does not lose these law enforcement services.

The details

At their meeting on Tuesday, the Lucas County commissioners set aside $68,250 from the county's general fund to supplement the increased patrols near Jerusalem Township that were previously covered by the federal grant. Commissioner Gerken stated that this was done to 'make the Sheriff whole' and ensure the area does not lose these services just because the source of the funding was 'uncomfortable' for the commissioners.

• On January 27, 2026, the Lucas County commissioners approved the $68,250 in funding from the county's general fund.
• Earlier in January 2026, the commissioners had backed out of the federal border enforcement grant.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The commissioners' decision to replace the federal grant funding will ensure the continued law enforcement patrols in the Jerusalem Township area of Lucas County.