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File #: 25-226    Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Consent Item Ready
File created: 2/7/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 2/24/2025 Final action:
Title: Approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division's 2026 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - Assessment and Evaluation objective to request funds for cybersecurity network testing, and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.
Attachments: 1. City of New Braunfels - Grant Number 5470301 Resolution - pending signatures
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PRESENTER: Presenter

Jennifer Gates, Grants Coordinator

 

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SUBJECT: Title

Approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division’s 2026 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - Assessment and Evaluation objective to request funds for cybersecurity network testing, and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.

 

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DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

 

 

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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide

 

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes objectives pertaining to public safety and fiscal sustainability. As such, Staff recently submitted a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office, Criminal Justice Division’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - Governance and Planning objective for Fiscal Year 2026 to request funding on behalf of the Information Technology to create and implement a defined cyber penetration testing project for the City’s computer network.

 

If awarded, the grant will provide funding to obtain assistance from a qualified third-party company to create and implement a cyber penetration testing project for the City’s computer network. As cybercrime continues to evolve, it is critical to proactively identify vulnerabilities that are open to allowing intrusion capabilities and identifying steps for remediation that can subsequently be carried out by qualified employees of the City’s Information Technology department and additional contractors as needed. Enhanced cybersecurity is critical to securing city resources and providing heightened protection to citizens and visitors from interruption in services and compromised personal information such as credit card numbers.

 

City staff recently submitted a grant application for a total amount of $47,040, of which the granting agency will be reimbursed for up to $37,632 in funds, and the City will contribute no more than $9,408 to fulfill its 20% grant match requirement.

 

If approved, the grant will be awarded by September 2025.

 

Staff is also requesting City Council approval of a resolution, as required by the granting agency, that will authorize our City Manager to act as the authorized official on behalf of the City in all matters related to this grant. The designated authorized official is given the power to apply for, accept, reject, alter, or terminate the grant on behalf of the applicant agency.

 

 

 

 

ISSUE:

The City’s adopted 2024-2029 Strategic Plan includes an objective pertaining to fiscal sustainability which will be supported by the grant application, its associated resolution, and requested services for the City’s Information Technology department.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:

Economic Mobility Enhanced Connectivity Community Identity

Organizational Excellence Community Well-Being N/A

Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support long-term fiscal sustainability of the Organization.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The granting agency requires a 20% match in funding therefore, of the total requested amount of $47,040, the grant will provide $37,632 in funds, with a City match of $9,408. The matching funds will be included in the FY 2026 Information Technology Budget.

 

 

 

Recommendation

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff recommends approval of a resolution; ratification for the submission of a grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division’s 2026 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program - Assessment and Evaluation objective to request funds for cybersecurity network testing, and authorization for the City Manager to act on behalf of the City in all matters related to the grant if awarded.