Willacy County OKs UTRGV technical assistance to pursue state-local cybersecurity grant; staff to sign and upload resolution

Willacy County commissioners on Feb. 12 authorized technical assistance from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s SARAS center as the county seeks a State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program award.

Ayesha Dos Reyes, identified herself as a SARAS representative and explained the center helps rural counties and producers apply for grants. She told the court, "There are no fees for my service. I'm paid through USDA grants," and clarified that the university would not submit the application on the county's behalf; county staff would retain signatory responsibility. Commissioners discussed the program’s local match (noted in the meeting as approximately 30 percent for this cycle, up from 10 percent in a prior cycle) and confirmed that budgeted capital or match funds might cover the county’s share if the grant is awarded.

The court moved and approved allowing UTRGV to assist in preparing the application and approved staff to submit the application. County staff said a resolution would be reprinted with one edit — designating the county auditor as the financial officer for the grant — and needed to be signed, scanned and uploaded by 5:00 p.m. the same day. The judge instructed staff to circulate the edited resolution to the bench immediately after it was prepared to ensure timely submission.

Commissioners asked staff to return to the court for final approval of project budgets and any contract terms if the county is selected for funding. The motion carried by voice vote.