Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a grant agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the purpose of a STEP grant.
Body
DATE: October 20,2026
TO: Laurie Wilson, Interim City Manager
FROM: Pedro Lopez, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: FY 2027 TxDOT Comprehensive STEP Grant
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The Police Department has applied for and received funds to conduct traffic safety education and enforcement through the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) with its Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant in past years. This year, the department applied for funding and was offered a comprehensive STEP grant in the amount of $49,815.35 with a matching requirement of $8,892.79 for a total grant project amount of $58,708.14.
The grant period is for FY2027, ending September 30, 2027. The grant funds will be utilized for additional focused traffic enforcement on an overtime basis; the additional STEP officers will not respond to routine calls for service and will concentrate on concerns with speed, driving under the influence, distracted driving, intersection-related crashes, etc., to impact the safety of the driving community, increase awareness and decrease violations. Additionally, the STEP officers will conduct several public education sessions to further increase the impact on traffic safety.
The matching funds will be provided by in-kind match. The grant allows for matching funds to be calculated based on vehicle mileage, a portion of the salary for the person managing the program and certain fringe benefits.
If approved, the grant would be accepted via digital signature through the eGrants system.
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?
Grant revenue is $49,815.35 in FY 2027. The total grant project amount is $58,708.14, which includes an $8,892.79 required in-kind match. The in-kind match will be satisfied through eligible existing City costs, including vehicle mileage, program administration, and applicable fringe benefits.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
One-time expenditure One-time expenditure
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
No. The grant revenue and associated expenditures were not included in the adopted FY 2027 budget.
If not, where will the money come from?
Grant-related overtime expenditures will initially be charged to the Police Department's existing FY 2027 overtime appropriation. Eligible expenditures will be reimbursed by TxDOT, with grant revenue recorded in the General Fund Federal Reimbursement account 100-43100-210-212-299301.
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
The Police Department's existing overtime appropriation is expected to be sufficient to absorb the grant-related expenditures. If actual expenditures result in a budgetary shortfall, a budget amendment will be brought forward to appropriate the necessary grant revenue and offsetting expenditures.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or his designee to accept the 2027 TXDOT STEP grant and enter into the grant agreement. The City is committed to providing all applicable matching funds. Staff also recommends that the Police Department be authorized to administer the duties required for the grant with the oversight of the City’s Finance Department. In the event of loss or misuse of grant funds, the City agrees to return all funds to the Texas Department of Transportation.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Finance
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Texas Traffic Safety eGrants information
Presentation