A board of county commissioners that has entered into an agreement to establish a countywide emergency management agency may appropriate money from its general fund to support the functions and operations of the agency, including the development, acquisition, operation, and maintenance of a countywide public safety communication system and any communication devices, radios, and other equipment necessary for the system’s operation and use. Money appropriated under this section may be expended to purchase and maintain the assets or equipment of the agency, including equipment used by the personnel of other political subdivisions that have entered into the agreement with the board establishing the agency. Money also may be appropriated under this section directly to a political subdivision that has entered into the agreement with the board establishing the agency, to enable the political subdivision to purchase communication devices, radios, and other equipment necessary for the countywide public safety communication system’s operation and use.