The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office received commissioners' approval Oct. 15 to accept a grant of $100,000 to fund its Cold Case Task Force and Coalition Project.

The program is planned to operate for one year. Grant funds will be used to establish one part-time crime analyst position; to purchase computers, monitors, specialized software, scanners, a printer and external hard drives; and to cover travel expenses and training expenses for the task force, according to the request.

All costs will be covered by the grant and should not have an impact on the department or county budgets unless there are additional maintenance costs throughout the lifespan of the technology—which is expected to last four years, according to the request.

Chief Deputy Tim Ryle said the WCSO would seek additional grant funding in future years for recurring costs such as travel, technology maintenance and salary for the part-time employee.

The court asked that the job description and hiring materials for the part-time position make clear that it is grant-funded and is not guaranteed to remain a position should funding cease.

This is a new grant funded through the Criminal Justice Division Criminal Justice Program, Ryle said. He added that there has been increase in desire to solve cold cases around the country.

WCSO currently has 14 cold cases, Ryle said.