COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

DATE:

 

 

    04 / 07 / 03

 

 

SUBJECT:  FINAL READING # 2003- O- 083

 

Authorizing the City Manager to amend the 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $89,410 for the Laredo Financial Disruption Task Force.  Funding is available from the opening balance of the Financial Task Force Fund (223) and will be used to purchase equipment. 

 

 

INITIATED BY:                                                 STAFF SOURCE:

 Cynthia Collazo                                                  Agustin Dovalina

 Assistant City Manager                                      Chief of Police

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:

 City Council passed the Public Hearing / Introductory Ordinance on March 24,2003.

 

 

ACTION PROPOSED:

 That City Council pass this ordinance.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The City of Laredo has been the grantee agency for the past 11 years of the Laredo Financial Disruption Task Force.  These funds are awarded by the national HIDTA (or High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area).   HIDTA is funded by ONDCP (or Office of National Drug Control Policy) of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.)

 

The Task Force works together with all law enforcement agencies to enforce Federal and State narcotics laws in the City of Laredo, and the counties of Webb and Zapata. This grant pays for salaries, benefits, overtime and direct operating expenses and equipment. 

  

 

FINANCIAL:

 

 

See Attached Forms:

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

 

 

STAFF:

Staff recommends that this ordinance be passed.

 

 

 

ORDINANCE # 2003- O - 083

 

Authorizing the City Manager to amend the 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $89,410 for the Laredo Financial Disruption Task Force.  Funding is available from the opening balance of the Financial Task Force Fund (223) and will be used to purchase equipment. 

 

 

Whereas, the City Council previously adopted the budget for fiscal year 2002-2003; and

 

            Whereas, the Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, South Texas HIDTA has already approved the equipment purchase request; and

 

Whereas, grant funds are awarded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy of the Office of the President of the United States; and

 

            Whereas, the grant funds are utilized to by the Laredo Financial Task Force to interdict drugs and seize illegal currency and assets in Webb and Zapata Counties; and

 

            Whereas, the Laredo Financial Task Force interdiction program seizes illegal drug proceeds that is judicially forfeited; and

  

Whereas, the Chief of Police recommends the approval of the budget amendment and program income will be used to pay for the purchase of surveillance equipment; and  

  

                 Whereas, in the event of loss or misuse of HIDTA funds, the governing body assures that the funds will be returned to HIDTA in full.

 

                                                     

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

 

Section 1:  Authorizing the City Manager to amend the City of Laredo’s 2002-2003 annual budget in the amount of $89,410 for the Laredo Financial Disruption Task Force. 

 

Section 2:  The City of Laredo’s 2002-2003 annual budget is hereby amended in the amount of $89,410 for the Laredo Financial Disruption Task Force.

 

Financial:   The proposed budget amendment is as follows:

 

2002 – 2003 Program Income / Financial Task Force (#223-2313)

           

                                                               ORIGINAL              AMENDED                 BUDGET

                                                                 BUDGET                    BUDGET        AMENDMENT

 

Personnel                                                    -                                    -                              -

 

 

Contractual Services                                    -                                    -                              -

 

Materials and Supplies                              -                                     -                              -

 

Other                                                         $50,000                        $50,000               $50,000

 

Machinery and Equipment                         -                                   $89,410               $89,410

                                                            _____________          _____________      ____________

                                                                  $50,000                       $50,000                 $139,410

 

 

 

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS THE _______ DAY OF _________________, 2003.

 

 

_____________________

ELIZABETH G. FLORES

MAYOR

 

ATTEST:

 

______________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.

CITY SECRETARY

 

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

 

_______________________

JAIME FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY