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45.

Meeting Date:	08/24/2015
Grant Application
Submitted for:	Isidro Alaniz	Submitted By:	David Sanchez
Department:	District Attorney

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to approve the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor Homeland Security Grants Division for the Border Prosecution Unit Grant estimated at $375,000 over the term of the contract. This formal request shall authorize the County Judge to act as the County's Executive Officer and Authorized Representative in all matters pertaining to the County's Participation in this grant. Contract Term: September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016. No matching funds are required for this grant.

Issue: Webb County has seen an increase in emerging threats from criminal enterprises that threatened the security of this region. There is a need for experienced, senior trial attorneys who can assist in the preparation and trial of an increasing caseload of complex organized crime and criminal enterprise cases throughout the border region.

Solution: Grant application to the Office of the Governor’s Office Homeland Security Grants Division to provide additional resources to supplement Webb County District Attorney’s Office with 2 prosecutor positions and 1 regional prosecutor position. The positions will accurately identify emerging threats and proactively address them enhancing long term investigations into criminal organizations that threaten the security of the communities along the U.S./Mexico border.

Result: Webb County will receive additional resources to improve the quality of prosecution specifically in the area of organized crime / criminal enterprise cases.

Background:

The District Attorney's Office will utilize this grant to keep improving the quality of prosecutions specifically in the area of organized crime / criminal enterprise cases. This grant is a continuation of the current existing grant. This is a continuation of the current grant.

Previous Court Action:

Fiscal Impact

Budget Account Number:	338
Funding Source:	1100
Balance:	NA
Financial Impact:
No impact to the General Fund.