City approves staff review of volunteer’s AI ‘grant agent’ pilot to pursue more funding

Lago Vista City Council on June 12 authorized staff to explore a pilot using AI-powered ‘‘agent teams’’ to identify and prepare grant applications after a local volunteer demonstrated a prototype for automating grant research and writing.

Michael Reinwald presented a prototype that splits grant work across a set of AI agents: a researcher agent screens opportunities; supporting agents compile budget, community impact and compliance details; a final agent assembles a draft application and a punch list of follow-up work. Reinwald said his prototype produced a draft grant package for a recent parks-related request and calculated a 76 percent chance of success based on the materials available.

Councilor Norma Owen asked the council to permit staff to meet with Reinwald and evaluate whether the city could use the tool, initially to build a “grant department” pilot that would extend staff capacity without adding permanent staff. City Manager and IT staff said they would examine hosting, data and security needs and discuss integration with state Department of Information Resources services if needed.

Council voted unanimously to authorize staff to pursue further discussions with Reinwald, to identify candidate projects (parks and economic development items were mentioned) and to return with a feasibility report and timeline. Council also asked that the pilot evaluate hosting, data privacy, integration with city systems and any procurement implications.

Ending: Council asked staff to coordinate meetings between Reinwald and IT/finance staff and to bring a short feasibility memo and proposed pilot timeline back to council, with a target report date set in July.