2006-10-09 Regular Meeting and Workshop Meeting of La Porte City Council

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Additionally, The Texas Homeland Security Strategic Plan — 2005- 2010 identified a need for the expansion of two key terrorism prevention projects to benefit all local governments: the Texas Data Exchange (TDEx), a law enforcement information sharing capability across all levels and jurisdictions, and Live Scan, an electronic fingerprint system which enables rapid identification of known or suspected criminals and terrorists using the fingerprint biometric. B. This year the Office of the Governor has prioritized the statewide implementation of TDEx and Live Scan to address critical information sharing gaps. These three programs are being pursued as statewide local projects. The attached Information Regarding Statewide Local Homeland Security Projects provides additional information on each of these initiatives. 3. Election Regarding State Use of HSGP Funding for Statewide Local Projects. A. As noted above, the State plans to oversee three essential statewide capabilities during this grant cycle: Regional Exercises, TDEx Implementation, and Live Scan Implementation. The Governor's Office of Homeland Security has requested that cities, counties, and regions support the use of a portion of local homeland security grant funds for these initiatives that directly benefit all local governments in Texas. Acquiring these capabilities under a state contract will achieve a significant cost savings, since the State can obtain these systems and services at a reduced rate. B. In order for the State to utilize local homeland security grants funds to fund these statewide local projects, U.S Department of Homeland Security grant guidance requires us to obtain your approval in writing. The attached form titled Election Regarding State Use of HSGP Funding for Statewide Local Projects is the means by which you give GDEM your approval. Please review the Election form and approve the elections for each program by checking the appropriate block. The form must be signed by an authorized official. C. The State will not take any portion of the grant funds allocated to a jurisdiction unless that jurisdiction agrees and executes the attached form titled Election Regarding State Use of HSGP Funding for Statewide Local Projects for one or all of the statewide initiatives. D. If a jurisdiction elects not to allow the State to acquire Live Scan booking stations for their jail facilities, they may acquire them on their own, now or in the future. E. If a jurisdiction elects not to support TDEx, the State will still pursue an enterprise license and provide the law enforcement officers in that jurisdiction access to the system in the interest of public safety and national security. However, if local law enforcement records or jail management systems have not already been adapted by the State, then such adaptations will not be able to be completed until the State can acquire additional funds. 4. Direct Deposit Authorization. A. GDEM must have a current Direct Deposit Authorization from your jurisdiction in order to transfer grants funds electronically to a designated bank account to reimburse you for grant -funded expenses. A hard -copy form is included as an attachment to this letter and additional copies are available from the Texas State Comptroller's website at: