Discussion and possible action to authorize the acceptance of a grant award for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) Program, Grant No. 3075211, from the Office of the Governor, Homeland Security Grants Division, in the amount of $2,215,609.20. Grant funds will be used for overtime, associated fringe benefits, equipment, supplies, fuel, helicopter maintenance/fuel, vehicle and tire maintenance, data services, Management and Administration (M&A), and repairs/maintenance of OPSG-acquired assets for Webb County local law enforcement agencies, including the Webb County Sheriff’s Office, the Offices of the Constables Precincts 1–4, and the Webb County Attorney’s Office Investigators; and to authorize the Webb County Judge to sign any and all relevant documents, including the resolution and any other matters incident thereto. There is no cash match requirement and no cost to Webb County. All required documents were submitted for review through the Economic Development Department, and the solicitation is compliant with the Webb County Single Point of Contact (SPOC) procedures. [Requested by Martin Cuellar, Webb County Sheriff, Fund #2467]

Issue: Webb County’s location along the Southwest border presents ongoing public safety and law enforcement challenges due to its proximity to international boundaries and major transportation corridors. Local law enforcement agencies must continue to address border-related criminal activity, including smuggling, trafficking, and other offenses that impact the safety and security of the community.
 
Solution: Acceptance of this grant award will provide first responders and local law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools, equipment, and resources to strengthen operational capabilities. The funding will also enhance coordination and collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to more effectively address and combat transnational crime.

Result: Webb County law enforcement agencies will be better equipped to respond to border-related criminal activity, improve public safety, and strengthen coordinated enforcement efforts with local, state, and federal partners, resulting in a more effective and unified response to transnational crime.

The Operation Stonegarden (OPSG) grant provides funding to designated counties and localities to enhance cooperation and coordination among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies in support of border security operations. The program is intended to strengthen joint efforts to secure the United States borders, including routes of ingress from international borders, travel corridors in states bordering Mexico and Canada, and states and territories with international water borders.
In coordination with the Laredo Police Department, the Offices of the Constables Precincts 1, 2, 3, and 4, the Webb County Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Border Patrol – Laredo Sector, the Webb County Sheriff’s Office will utilize grant funding to support border security operations, including law enforcement overtime operations and the purchase of necessary law enforcement equipment.
 

The submission and acceptance of the Operation Stonegarden grant by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office is approved by the Webb County Commissioners Court on an annual basis.