HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-28722 - City Council - OrdinanceORDINANCE 26-28722
AN ORDINANCE INCREASING ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND
APPROPRIATIONS IN THE GRANTS OPERATING FEDERAL FUND,
SUBJECT TO RECEIPT OF THE GRANT, IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $492,000.00,
FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING FISCAL YEARS 2026 AND 2027 BIOWATCH
GRANT PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; MAKING
THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDINANCES; REPEALING
ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
SECTION 1.
In addition to those amounts allocated to the various City departments for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
in the Budget of the City Manager, there shall also be increasing estimated receipts and appropriations in
the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to the receipt of the grant, in an amount up to $492,000.00, for
the purpose of funding Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Biowatch Grant Program.
SECTION 2.
Should any portion, section or part of a section of this ordinance be declared invalid, inoperative or
void for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision, opinion or judgment shall in no way
impair the remaining portions, sections, or parts of sections of this ordinance, which said remaining provisions
shall be and remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 3.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of Ordinance 27979-09-2025 and all other ordinances and
appropriations amending the same except in those instances where the provisions of this ordinance are in
direct conflict with such other ordinances and appropriations, in which instance said conflicting provisions
of said prior ordinances and appropriations are hereby expressly repealed.
SECTION 4.
This ordinance shall take effect upon adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
M. Kevin And ers II
M. Kevin Anders, II (Sep 2, 2026 13:04:54bDT)
Assistant City Attorney
ADOPTED: August 25.2026
EFFECTIVE: August 25.2026
Jannette S. Goodall
City Secretary
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Ordinance No. 26-28722
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FORT WORTH„
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
7.1.16 BIOWATCH PROGRAM GRANT FY27
DATE: 08/25/26 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 26-0869
DEPARTMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
SUBJECT
(ALL) Ratify Application for and Acceptance of, if Awarded, Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Biowatch
Grant Program from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency
Management Agency in an Amount Up to $492,000.00, Authorize Execution of Related Grant
Agreement, and Adopt Appropriation Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Ratify application for and acceptance of, if awarded, Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027
Biowatch Grant Program from the United States Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Emergency Management Agency in an amount up to $492,000.00 for a twelve-
month term beginning on August 1, 2026, and expiring on July 31, 2027;
2. Authorize the execution of a related grant agreement with the United States
Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
3. Adopt the attached Appropriation Ordinance increasing estimated receipts and
appropriations in the Grants Operating Federal Fund, subject to the receipt of the grant,
in an amount up to $492,000.00, for the purpose of funding Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027
Biowatch Grant Program.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication (MSC) is to ratify the application for
and acceptance of, if awarded, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Biowatch Grant Program
for field operations and sample collection activities provides funds to support an air monitoring
collector network designed for early detection of aerosolized bioterrorism attacks within the
City of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. If awarded, funds provided through this program would
be used for the operation of local air monitors, including routine field collection, installation,
maintenance, and delivery of air quality samples to a designated laboratory for testing and
data analysis.
From 2003-2025, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) administered the DHS
Biowatch Program Grant for the state of Texas and passed through funding to local "Whole Air
Monitoring" programs including the City of Fort Worth. As of January 2, 2026, the TCEQ ended
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FORT WORTH.
its role in administering these funds and withdrew its agreement with the City of Fort Worth
and all other local programs in the state. After which, the City of Fort Worth must now apply
and receive funding directly from DHS. City Council M&C 25-0656 authorized the first direct
agreement with DHS and the receiving of grant funds. From its inception to July 2026, the
Biowatch Program Grant operated through the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction
(CWMD) branch of DHS. In July 2026, the Biowatch Grant Program was transferred to Federal
Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
DHS provides all air monitoring equipment, parts, and supplies for the proper operation of the
air monitoring samplers. The contract period will start August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, with
an amount up to $492,000.00 for reimbursement of expenses to the City. Because the City's
2026 fiscal year ends on September 30, 2026, the City will use this grant funding in the City's
2026 fiscal year and 2027 fiscal year.
DOCUMENT
Initial Grant (FY26) and
(FY27)
Approval
M&C No. Grant Amount
Date
Pending Pending
$492,000.00
TOTAL:
Total
$492,000.00
$492,000.00
This grant includes five authorized positions in the Environmental Services Department for air
quality monitoring. Salary and Fringe will be funded in an estimated amount up to $351,000.00.
Indirect costs will be recovered under this grant at a rate of 10% of Salary Expenses in an
estimated amount up to $23,400.00. Capital equipment costs (vehicle replacement) will be
funded in an estimated amount of up to $85,000.00.
Position
Environmental Supervisor - Field Manager
Senior Environmental Specialist -Biowatch Field Lead
Senior Environmental Specialist - Special Projects
Environmental Specialist - Field Operator
Environmental Specialist - Field Operator
Authorized Positions
(AP)
0.25
0.75
0.25
1.00
1.00
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FORT WORTH.
ITOTAL: I 3.25
If these funds become unavailable, the Environmental Services Department would determine
a transition plan to discuss where funding would come from for this program.
No City funds will be expended before the grant funding is approved. Because this is a
reimbursement grant, upon approval and acceptance of the grant and execution of the
contract, City funds will be spent before it receives grant funds. No local match is required. The
Grant Application Repository Number is GRNT-APPL-0000000218.
These projects will serve ALL COUNCIL DISTRICTS.
This contract will be with a governmental entity, state agency or public institution of higher
education.
FISCAL IN FORMATION/CERTIFICATION
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendations and
adoption of the attached appropriation ordinance, funds will be available in the current
operating budget, as appropriated, in the Grants Operating Federal Fund. The Environmental
Services Department (and Financial Management Services) will be responsible for the
collection and deposit of funds due to the City. Prior to an expenditure being incurred, the
Environmental Services Department has the responsibility to validate the availability of
funds. This is a reimbursement grant.
SUBMITTED FOR CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE BY:
ORIGINATING BUSINESS UNIT HEAD:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Valerie R. Washington, # 6192
Cody Whittenburg, #5455
Wyndie Turpen, #6982
Julianne Ragland, #6336
ATTACHMENTS
1. ORD APP 22 22DHS BIOWATCH PROGRAM GRANT FY27 [7.1.16.1 - 1 page]
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