The Uvalde County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution in support of Community Project Funding request at meeting on Monday April 11th, 2022.

Uvalde Country Grant Writer Carl Esser spoke on the court on the agenda item, He stated US Congressman Tony Gonzalez reached out to entities in the 23rd congressional district about an opportunity for agencies to request funding from the Department of Homeland Security. He requested the County Commissioners consider passing a resolution requesting one million dollars to be used for a new facility for the Uvalde County Operations of Emergency Management Center.

Currently, the Uvalde County OEM is housed inside of a hanger located at 201 Airport Boulevard on  Garner Field owned by the City of Uvalde. The hanger is 80 years old.

According to Esser, the deadline to submit an application for the federal grant is Thursday, April 14th, 2022.

Following the vote of approval for the County Commissioners resolution for the grant application, Esser appeared before the Uvalde City Council at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 12th, 2022.

Esser also appeared at the Sabinal City Council meeting on Monday Night, April 11th requesting council vote to support the Community Project Funding Request. According the Sabinal City Secretary, the resolution passed.

An agenda item was also presented to the Uvalde City Council to consider and approve a written resolution for the federal grant request. The text of that resolution reads:

“A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UVALDE, TEXAS SUPPORTING THE SUBMISSION OF THE UVALDE COUNTY FISCAL YEAR 2023 (FY’23) COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST TO CONGRESSMAN TONY GONZALES (TX-23); AND AUTHORIZING THE UVALDE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACT AS THE COUNTY’S EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE COUNTY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING (CPF) REQUEST. “

Additionally the resolution text reads:

“WHEREAS, The Uvalde County Emergency Operation Center Department’s area of responsibility geographically, is covered under the joint Emergency Management Plan and Annexes which include the County of Uvalde, City of Uvalde, and the City of Sabinal as incorporated cities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UVALDE, TEXAS:

1, That the City of Uvalde supports the submission of the Fiscal Year 2023 Community Project Funding Request Program application being filed by Uvalde County with Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) Office.

2. That the County’s application be placed in competition for funding under the Homeland Security Department Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Operations Center Grants.

3. That the requests be for $ 1,000,000.00 of grant funds to provide for an Emergency Operation Center for Uvalde County, Texas.

4. That the Commissioners Court directs and designates the Uvalde County Judge as the County’s Chief Executive Officer and Authorized Representative to act in all matters in connection with this application and the County’s participation in the Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Submission.

5. That all funds will be used in accordance with all applicable federal, state, local and programmatic requirements including but not limited to procurement, environmental review, labor standards, real property acquisition, civil rights requirements and administrative activities. “