Commissioners Court Meeting

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Meeting Date:	01/08/2018
Operation Stonegarden Supplemental Grant Award-License Plate Reader
Submitted for:	Erika Hernandez	Submitted By:	Erika Hernandez
Department:	Civil Legal Division

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the acceptance of a Fiscal Year 2015 Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) Supplemental Grant Award and budget from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the amount of $119,520 for the purchase of border security equipment in the form of a license plate reader ($49,520) for the Webb County Sheriff’s Office and overtime/associated eligible fringe benefits for the Offices of the Constable, Pct. 1 ($20,000), Pct. 2 ($20,000), Pct. 3 ($10,000), and Pct. 4 ($20,000); and authorizing the Webb County Judge to execute all relevant documents in all matters related to this grant; and any other matters incident thereto. This grant does not require any type of match; and, therefore, no impact to the general fund.

Issue: Local law enforcement working in international border communities must work within limited budgetary constraints to provide both proactive and responsive law enforcement services while transborder criminal organizations possess unlimited funding to access the latest technology and equipment to avoid detection/disruption of their activities utilizing their proceeds obtained through illegal but highly lucrative drug trafficking and other unlawful enterprises.

Solution: Supplemental grant award to provide supplemental equipment to assist in combating illegal drug trafficking and provide enhanced border security for the residents/citizens of Laredo/Webb County.

Result: The Webb County Sheriff’s Office and its sworn officer force will be equipped with needed new, updated technology/equipment.

Background:

This funding must be utilized by March 2018. This is additional funding remaining and reallocated from other local law enforcement agencies in the South Texas area, such as adjoining border counties in the Laredo Sector (Jim Hogg/ Zapata Counties). This supplemental funding provides extra funding for equipment to enhance border security operations in the Laredo/Webb County area.

Previous Court Action:

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	To be determined
Funding Source:	Grant Revenue
Balance:	N/A
Financial Impact:
$119,520 supplemental grant funding