Presentation, Discussion and Appropriate Action Regarding the Approval of a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Application and Authorization to Negotiate, Execute and Amend the Grant with the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Bexar County has committed funding for upgrades to the flood warning system in Bexar County and its municipalities, known as the Next Generation (NextGen) Flood Warning System. The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) is managing the implementation of a program which includes upgrades to high water detection locations, improvements to flood alerts and communications, upgrades to the predictive flood model, and a public outreach campaign. In December 2025, Bexar County and the River Authority entered into an interlocal agreement for the preliminary phase of work. The River Authority is actively coordinating with Bexar County on the next phase of the interlocal agreement covering design and implementation of hardware upgrades. To supplement program funding, the River Authority is applying for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The requested grant amount is up to $20 million, with 75% Federal funding and a 25% local match. Bexar County's funding is eligible for the local match. BRIC funding would be used to increase the number of automatic gates and the number of new locations incorporated into the Flood Warning System. The grant application due to the Texas Division of Emergency Management by June 1, 2026 for state-level review, and then if accepted at the state-level, the federal application deadline is July 23, 2026.

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.7/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.