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Meeting Date:	01/11/2021
Center for Tech and Civic Life grant extension - Elections Department
Submitted for:	Margarita Garza	Submitted By:	Margarita Garza
Department:	Water Utilities

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to authorize the Economic Development Department to develop and submit a 6-month grant extension to the Center for Tech and Civic Life on behalf of the Elections Department. The grant extension request will allow the Elections Department to expend remaining funds in the amount of $304,327.49; and authorizing the County Judge to act as the Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County's request for the grant extension. All required documents were sent for review through the Economic Development Department and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Jose Salvador Tellez, Elections Executive Director]

Issue: The Coronavirus epidemic has negatively impacted the Webb County community and the unprecedented impact it will have on the upcoming primaries and November general election.

Solution: Through this proposed grant application, Webb County will expend funds allocated to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, domestically and internationally for the 2020 Federal election cycle.

Result: If the 6-month extension is granted, funds will be utilized to train staff on the operation of the new election machines, to hold public exhibitions on the use of the election machines by the voter, and to produce public service announcements regarding the availability of the new machines in future elections.

Background:

N/A

Previous Court Action:

The Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) awarded a grant in the amount of $2,820,960.00 to the Webb County Elections Office. Of this grant, $2,602,960.00 was budgeted (preliminary estimate) for Absentee Ballot Assembly and Processing Equipment.

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	N/A
Funding Source:	N/A
Balance:	$304,327.49
Financial Impact:
Webb County Elections Department was awarded $2,820,960.00 to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic during the 2020 Federal Elections. Request to submit 6 month extension to expend the remaining balance of $304,327.49 as requested by the Elections Department. There is no impact to the General Fund