AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-90R, authorizing the re-submission of an application to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority for a grant in the amount of $6,500.00 for the continued maintenance and operation of ten license plate reader cameras for use in addressing motor vehicle and catalytic converter thefts; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute any and all documents as needed to apply for, accept, implement, decline, modify, or cancel the grant, if awarded; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: May 20, 2025
Department: Police
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: 6,500
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Funds Available: 6,500
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Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: On December 3, 2024, the City Council approved the submission of this same grant, which was awarded in early 2025. The grant requires renewal each year.
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Background Information:
In 2024, the Police Department applied for and received a grant from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) related to catalytic converter thefts from motor vehicles. The MVCPA awards grants to agencies to raise awareness of vehicle theft and burglary and implement education and prevention initiatives. It was created by the 72nd Texas Legislature and became the first statewide effort to reduce auto theft.
In calendar year 2024, the City of San Marcos experienced (5) stolen vehicles every week. In the two previous calendar years, there were (4) stolen vehicles each week. In 2024, there were 398 vehicle burglaries. In this same year, (6) catalytic converters were reported stolen, with (3) having already been stolen in 2025. The Police Department received the MVCPA grant to stand up an auto theft taskforce to reduce thefts, burglaries and catalytic converter thefts. Detective Casey Tennant currently serves in the role of the sworn position. Since a single detective cannot effectively manage this workload alone, technology must be leveraged. The Department obtained this same grant last year, thus adding (10) Flock cameras.
The grant requirements include an annual re-submission and award process. The Department seeks the approval of the City Council to continue this same level of funding to sustain the (10) cameras. No new cameras are added to this grant request, but instead the Department seeks to continue funding for the cameras. The grant requires a 20% match, so the total General Fund impact would be $6,500, which the Finance Department has included in the Proposed FY 2026 budget.
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