Discuss and take appropriate action on the Local Initiative Project (LIP) Emissions Enforcement grant from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to implement and enhance enforcement of counterfeit registration insignias (i.e. counterfeit temporary/provisional license plates) and related counterfeit vehicle inspection reports.

On August 8, 2017, the court approved to extend the Local Initiative Project (LIP) contract with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), with the biennium ending June 28, 2019. Since the move to a one-sticker program there has been unlawful acts reported utilizing counterfeit dealer and similar illicit provisional plates. This activity circumvents emission reduction testing and causes loss of registration revenue to the County's tax-assessor.

TCEQ has available grant funds for the 2016 and 2017 state fiscal years. The County has the opportunity to utilize grant funds totaling $120,437.09 by providing a 23% match of the total project cost or $35,290.94. Our required match will be entirely provided through vehicle costs already included in the approved FY2018 Sheriff's Office budget and indirect costs; a cash match will not be required. Those working on this project will do so outside of their regular shifts and grant funds will be used for the associated costs of their overtime and fringe benefits. No additional personnel will be added.

If state funding is depleted prior to the program completion date, enhanced enforcement will be concluded and normal enforcement efforts will resume. If any unused funds remain at the project end date, they will be returned to TCEQ. The FY 2016 funds must be expended by August 31, 2018 and the FY 2017 funds must be expended by June 28, 2019.

The program will begin immediately upon final approval from TCEQ. The Sheriff's Office will work in consultation with Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to identify and reduce the number of counterfeit registration insignias and counterfeit vehicle inspection reports within the County.   

Staff recommends the following action: Approve application for a Local Initiative Project grant to initiate enhanced enforcement on counterfeit registration insignias and related counterfeit vehicle inspection reports and authorize appropriate Sheriff's Office and environmental personnel to complete TCEQ documentation relevant to implementation of the grant.