Council votes to authorize grant application to replace three city servers

The City Council voted to authorize staff to submit a grant application to the Office of the Governor to replace three near‑end‑of‑life servers used by the police department, finance and administration.

Bert, the city manager, told the council the cost to replace the three servers "is around 89,000 and change." He said a grant available through the Texas Department of Information Resources and routed through the governor’s office could cover most of the cost: "It's a $70.30 grant, so there'll be about 70,000 that we won't have to pay," Bert said, adding he had help from Relimatech and used AI tools while preparing the application.

The resolution on the agenda was numbered 2026-04. Presiding votes were recorded in roll call with Post, Spruill/Sproles, Truax, Holstein and the presiding speaker voting "aye," and the council approved the motion to submit the grant application. The presiding speaker clarified the resolution authorizes submission of the application only and does not obligate the city to spend the local balance if the grant is awarded.

The immediate effect is administrative: staff may submit the application and pursue grant funding. If awarded, the grant would reduce but not necessarily eliminate the city's total replacement cost; the city manager said the remainder would be the city's responsibility. There was no discussion of a guaranteed award or of an alternative funding source if the grant application is unsuccessful.

The council approved the resolution during the meeting that concluded at 6:12 p.m. The grant application will be filed as directed; award and final procurement decisions will follow standard staff and purchasing procedures.