AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-16R, approving an Interlocal Agreement with Hays County providing for the county to disburse a 2024 Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Award to the city in the amount of $25,500.00; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: January 20, 2026
Department: Police
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: None
Account Number: To be assigned
Funds Available: $25,500
Account Name: To be assigned
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: No action taken to date. There is no match or cost-sharing requirement for this grant.
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Background Information:
Hays County and the City of San Marcos were awarded a combined total of $37,516 in Department of Justice FY24 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance funding. Localities that receive a JAG disparate allocation are required to enter into a formal agreement via a MOU that specifies, at a minimum: 1) the locality that will serve as fiscal agent for the group; 2) the amount of JAG funding that each locality agrees to receive. The MOU must be signed by all parties, by the official with the authority to enter into such an agreement on behalf of the locality. At the time of notice of funding award, Hays County agreed to serve as the fiscal agent with the City of San Marcos to serve as a sub-grantee. Hays County drafted and approved the Interlocal that meets this grant requirement in April 2024. The City of San Marcos would receive $25,500 of the allocation and Hays County the remaining $12,016.
At the City of San Marcos’ City Council meeting on August 5, 2025, Council was asked to approve the Interlocal and a Resolution which delineated specific items that the City would be utilizing the grant monies for - these included the purchase of financial crimes solution software, an infrared surveillance pole camera, and various forensic equipment and supplies. That agenda item was not approved, and City Council directed staff to explore alternative items that could be requested, are needed, eligible and allowable per JAG funding.
City staff followed up with Hays County, the grant’s direct recipient, who checked with the Department of Justice Program Officer to provide guidance on allowability of a modification at this stage as well as eligible activities/items with this funding. DOJ shared that a Grant Award Modification (GAM) could be considered once a Memorandum of Agreement is in place and provided that the requested change adheres to grant guidance provided. Staff from the DOJ cannot provide guidance on the allowability of the items until the Memorandum of Understanding is signed and the GAM is submitted.
The Police Department drafted a list of six items and/or activities to replace the items that had been previously identified and fall within one of the nine statutorily defined JAG areas. These items are listed here and further elaborated in the attached Funding Request Summary that also provides budget estimates:
1. Police, Treatment and Community Collaborative Summit - Attendance by 6 attendees. <https://ptaccollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/PTACC-National-Deflection-Summit-DRAFT-Agenda-29-August-2025.pdf>
2. 911 Crisis Call Training (CCT) (<https://www.crptinc.org/911CCT>) for the Mental Health Clinician
3. Mental Health Community Engagement Program - Materials to be offered to clients during crisis situations to help distract from distressing stimuli, support self-regulation and assist with de-escalation of a crisis event.
4. Therapy K9 Heat Alarm Kennel - Replacement heat alarm system for the Therapy K9 vehicle. This system ensures the safety of the therapy dog while on scene,
5. Victim Services - Emergency Unmet Needs Program - Equips officers to offer tangible support to the needs of victims, e.g. emergency hotel stays, transportation needs, e.g. bus fare, rideshare.
6. Blue Angels Law Enforcement Emergency Community Needs Program - Allows officers to respond with meaningful assistance that address urgent, real-world needs. This type of program is more for non-criminal, non-compensable situation that fall outside traditional police services but do have a direct impact on public safety, dignity, ad well-being.
These items still need to receive final approval from DOJ to proceed with purchase and/or implementation. They are included here to demonstrate the steps that were taken following the last discussion of this subject.
To keep this item in compliance and moving forward, City Council will need to first approve the Interlocal (which serves as the Grant’s MOU) enabling staff to move forward with further consideration of listed items.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Approve attached resolution.
Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of attached resolution.