COLUMBIA, S.C. - A shift in the federal focus on homeland security could mean fewer grant dollars for South Carolina cities and counties.

State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart says the 2005-06 federal budget cuts state security funds by about 10 percent to $90 million. The money is distributed by SLED for equipment, training, planning and drills.

"We will have to revise South Carolina's strategy," Stewart said.

Some law enforcement officials say the federal money already has proved invaluable in preparing South Carolina for emergencies, such as January's deadly train crash and chemical spill in Graniteville.

"Anywhere, U.S.A., could be a potential target," said Lexington County Assistant Sheriff Tim James. "We have to be prepared to respond."

But the change in focus to larger cities, such as New York, means none of South Carolina's cities is big enough to be a federal priority, Stewart said.

Stewart said most local agencies still will receive slightly more money in the 2005-06 fiscal year because SLED will allocate a larger share to municipal and county governments instead of to statewide efforts. But, he said, they should expect reductions beginning next year.

Don Murphy, Richland County's homeland security coordinator, said the sheriff's department is concerned about the cuts, but officials knew the money would be around forever.

"Certainly we count on every penny we get from the federal government," he said. But "we are working hard to put ourselves in the position to do what we need to do."

Some federal grants are likely to stay at current levels, Stewart said. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control receives about $10 million and fire departments directly receive a portion of $750 million awarded nationally.

Stewart said the initial grants were intended to provide basic services for responses to a chemical or biological incident. Now that many of the essential needs have been met, federal officials have told local agencies that grant decisions will be more risk-based.

"This has always been designed as seed money," Stewart said.