Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the submission and acceptance of a grant award from the Office of the Governor under the FY 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (LETPA) application 5364401, designating the City Manager as the City's authorized official, and providing an effective date.
Body
DATE: August 18, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, Interim City Manager
FROM: James Kubinski, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: FY 2026 Homeland Security Grant (LETPA) Program Award Acceptance
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Killeen Fire Department submitted a grant application under the FY 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (Local Emergency Terrorism Prevention Activities - LETPA) through the Office of the Governor on January 28, 2025, requesting funding to purchase an unknown hazardous materials identification handheld system. On July 21, 2026, the City received notification that the project had been awarded $55,977 through the Office of the Governor.
The City Council would agree to provide any required matching funds in accordance with the grant requirements. This project does not currently require any fund match. In the event of the loss or misuse of Office of the Governor grant funds, the City will reimburse the Office of the Governor for the full amount of such funds.
The City Manager or the Executive Director of Finance would be designated as the City's authorized official. The authorized official is empowered to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the city and to execute all documents necessary to administer the grant.
The awarded funding will be utilized to purchase a Raman spectrum monitor which is a chemical analysis instrument that would be able to identify unknown hazardous materials involved in a spill or leak. The unit would be assigned to the Killeen Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team and be available as a regional resource to agencies throughout Bell County and adjacent counties.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
Conforms to City policy.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The grant award covers the period of October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. There will be no cash match. The grant award is expected to fully cover the purchase and any training needed.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
One-time expenditure.
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
No
If not, where will the money come from?
Upon approval of a budget amendment, funding will be appropriated in the Emergency Management Special Revenue Fund. Revenue will be recorded in account 235-43100-250-250-226502, with corresponding expenditures appropriated in accounts 235-56315-250-252-226502 and 235-54310-250-252-226502.
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Upon approval of a budget amendment.
RECOMMENDATION:
City Staff recommend the City Council to approve the acceptance of the FY 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program (LETPA) award in the amount of Fifty-Five Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars ($55,977) from the Office of the Governor for the Unknown Hazardous Materials Identification Handheld System Project, and authorizes the submission of all required grant documents and authorizes the City Manager, or the Executive Director of Finance, to execute all documents necessary for the administration of the grant.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Fire Department
Finance
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Award Letter
Presentation