Posting Language
Title
Approve a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to, and acceptance of grant funding from, the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division to implement the Austin Police Department Crime Laboratory Portal Records Grant Program. Funding: $67,723 is available from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division. A City funding match is not required.
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Lead Department
Austin Police Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $67,723 is available from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division for the project period of March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027. No City expenditure is required.
For More Information:
Dr. Dana Kadavy, Director, Austin Forensic Science, (512) 974-5118.
Additional Backup Information:
The Office of the City Manager reviewed this grant for alignment as directed by Resolution No. 20200611-096 and recommends approval.
This action will provide the required resolution needed by the State’s Criminal Justice Division to complete the award process related to $67,7233 in grant funding. The project period is March 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027. A City match is not required.
State funding will allow the City to hire a temporary administrative employee and provide overtime to current administrative staff to complete the digitization process of paper forensic files; and to contract with a third-party company to complete the integration of the City’s forensic laboratory system with Texas Crime Lab Records (CLR) Connect. Texas CLR Connect is the State’s digital crime portal targeted to launch in August 2026, and all crime laboratories within the State of Texas that conduct forensic analysis for use in a criminal action in Texas are required to participate. The City estimates that it will digitize roughly 800,000 records and be integrated with Texas CLR Connect during the project period.
The grantor requires a resolution approved by the governing body that addresses items 1-5 below:
1. Authorization by the governing body for the submission of the application to the Office of the Governor that clearly identifies the name of the project for which funding is requested;
2. A commitment to provide all applicable matching funds;
3. A designation of the name and/or title of an authorized official who is given the authority to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate a grant (Note: If a name is provided, the applicant must update the resolution should the official change during the grant period.);
4. A designation of the name and/or title of the financial officer who is given the power to submit financial and/or programmatic reports or alter a grant on behalf of the applicant; and
5. A written assurance that, in the event of loss or misuse of grant funds, the governing body will return all funds to Office of the Governor.