07/13/2026
On behalf of the Summit County Sheriff's Office, I write in opposition to the proposed revisions to Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 outlined in OMB-2026-0034.
As the chief law enforcement agency serving the fourth largest county in Ohio, we rely on federal grant funding to support programs that directly enhance public safety, strengthen emergency preparedness, improve jail operations, expand mental health and substance abuse treatment services, reduce gun violence, narcotics trafficking, and human trafficking, hire personnel, acquire specialized equipment, implement new technologies, provide critical training and equipment for my deputies and staff, and much more.
These investments often span multiple years and involve contractual obligations, detailed budgeting, staffing commitments, and multilayered partnerships with other agencies and organizations. Law enforcement agencies operate in environments that demand long-term planning, stable funding, and objective oversight.
The proposed rule changes to Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 would give federal agencies broad discretion to modify award conditions, withhold payment, or terminate the award at any time if the agency determines that such actions are “in the interest of the federal agency” or fail to “demonstrably advance the President’s policy priorities.” §200.205(b)(1)
These requirements would place an undue burden on law enforcement and public safety agencies, many of which already face staffing shortages and limited administrative capacity. Securing federal grant funding and maintaining compliance with grant requirements is already a time and resource-intensive process. Imposing additional and potentially fluctuating requirements creates greater uncertainty in the management of federal awards and diverts valuable personnel and time away from core public safety responsibilities, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of the very efforts these grants are intended to support.
Moreover, allowing federal agencies to alter award conditions or terminate funding based on political considerations and policy priorities unrelated to the recipient's actual performance undermines responsible long-term planning and introduces instability into otherwise reliable grant programs that have historically and consistently demonstrated positive public safety outcomes.
Local law enforcement priorities should remain focused on serving and protecting everyone within our communities, reducing crime, responding to emergencies, and serving the public. The federal assistance we rely on should be administered according to clear statutory authority, and objective performance standards and requirements.
County Sheriffs and other local law enforcement have long been committed to being responsible stewards of federal resources, ensuring that grant funds are used efficiently, transparently, and in accordance with the law. These objectives can continue to be achieved without creating additional uncertainty that may ultimately diminish the effectiveness of programs designed to protect the public. Therefore, I oppose the changes to Uniform Guidance 2 CFR Part 200 outlined in OMB-2026-0034.
Kandy Fatheree
Sheriff, Summit County, Ohio
‼️‼️ Today is the LAST DAY to submit public comment on a federal rule that will have wide-ranging effects on every single entity that touches federal grant money or pass-through, with cascading effects impacting all sectors of our local economy.
To make this as easy as possible, we have provided a template and a simple guide to submit comment in just 4 easy steps: https://co.summitoh.net/pages/Proposed-Federal-Rule-Disrupts-Federal-Grants.html
If you or a loved one has utilized services or organizations funded with federal grants—such as HeadStart, Meals on Wheels, public universities, public housing, addiction or recovery services, a specialized court docket, SNAP, Medicaid, and much more—it is important to share your story about how these services benefited you. Your input could help protect these services from elimination.
The proposed rule will affect every single federal grant dollar, and all public facilities regardless of funding. Here are just a few of the provisions:
• Discretionary grants can be cancelled ANY TIME for ANY REASON. No warning, no objections, and no appeal process.
• Senior political appointees review ALL discretionary grant awards. They may cancel any discretionary award without cause, and expressly allows for mass terminations of awards.
• Prohibits use of federal funds for activities conflicting with the current president’s priorities.
• Prohibits policies and initiatives that conflict with President Trump’s 2025 Executive Orders involving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, gender ideology, “anti-American” values, etc.
This is not legislation passed by Congress. Instead, it is a federal rule proposed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The OMB Director is appointed by the President of the United States. The current OMB Director is Russell T. Vought.
Public comment is accepted through Monday, July 13 at 11:59pm.
