Primary Department: Constables
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Constable James “Smokie” Phillips
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable): STEP 2026-HarrisP7-S-1YG-0014
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Texas Department of Transportation
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 3%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Rate is not 0% and is listed above.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Constable of Precinct 7 for approval to accept from the Texas Department of Transportation grant funds in the amount of $94,471.30, with a match of $30,088.04, for the FY 2026 STEP Comprehensive (COMP) Grant.
end
Background and Discussion:
The goal of the STEP program is for TxDOT to develop strategic partnerships with law enforcement to reduce crashes by creating safer driving environments on Texas roadways through high-visibility engagement (HVE). Any accredited law enforcement agency in Texas is eligible for funding through STEP, though priority to receiving the funds and the maximum funding amount an agency may receive is based on the number and type of crashes occurring in the applicant jurisdictions
The purpose of the one-year grant is to increase effective enforcement and adjudication of traffic safety-related laws to reduce crashes, increase occupant restraint use, reduce the number of speed-related crashes, and reduce distracted motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The grant will pay the salaries of 4 deputies, 3 sergeants, 2 lieutenants, 1 clerk and purchase the equipment needed in this overtime program.
Expected Impact:
In 2023, there were 116,521 crashes in Harris County, the most ever recorded according to the Texas Department of Transportation: 501 were fatal crashes, 533 people lost their lives, and 2,763 more were seriously injured. The expected impact is a reduction in the number of crashes, fatalities, and loss of life in Harris County.
Alternative Options:
No alternative options identified.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: F: Ensure safety and security for all using the county’s transportation network in alignment with the County’s Vision Zero plan.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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05/08/25 |
25-2524 |
Transmittal of Grant Application |
Location:
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY 2026 STEP Comprehensive (COMP) Grant |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Existing Budget |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Existing Budget |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Total Funding Sources |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grants – Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Labor |
Non-Labor |
Total |
No. of Grant Years |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget:
1000 - General Fund |
$ |
$0 |
$30,088.04 |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request:
Grant |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$ |
$94,471.30 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Additional Positions Request |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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Total Personnel |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Anticipated Court Date: 9/18/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 10/1/2025
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Vickie McBride, Grants Administrator
Attachments: Court Order, Grant Agreement