Mission officials say grants stretch tax dollars, cite $15 million a year and projects including parks and a proposed shelter expansion

Mission Mayor Nori Gonzalez Gara, Councilwoman Marissa Gerlac and Michael Elizalde, director of the City of Mission’s grants department, used a city podcast to explain how the grants office finds and manages outside funding to supplement local tax dollars.

“People think about grants sometimes a little unsure what that means,” Elizalde said, adding that a grant differs from a loan because “it’s money you don’t have to repay.” He described grants as competitive awards that the city uses to pay for capital improvements and other projects that would otherwise come out of the local tax base.

Elizalde outlined the standard workflow: staff and elected leaders identify community needs, departments gather analytical data to justify proposals, and the city submits competitive applications. He said the grants office works closely with stakeholders and with state and federal partners and that careful compliance and reporting are essential to continue receiving awards.

“We have a dedicated grant compliance coordinator,” Elizalde said, noting that strict federal requirements and timely progress reports are part of accepting and managing many awards. “Every federal dollar is accounted for,” he added, saying compliance helps the city sustain future grant opportunities.

Officials highlighted recent and ongoing projects funded with grant dollars. Elizalde cited drainage-improvement work and a prior $1.5 million award that helped develop Lions Park. He also said Mission has applied for about $1 million through a congressional community project funding request to expand and enhance the city animal shelter.

The podcast also named private partners: hosts and Elizalde pointed to foundation support for projects such as Birdwell Tennis Park and a trail-development partnership with the Valley Baptist Legacy foundation.

Elizalde described the grants office’s staffing growth: he said he began handling applications alone nearly six years ago, then added a compliance specialist and now has a team of four people who manage outreach, applications and reporting.

On scale, Elizalde offered a ballpark annual figure: “every year we’re looking upwards of 15 million that we’re able to secure,” which he framed as significant for the city’s size and an important way to reduce the burden on local tax dollars.

Looking ahead, the city said officials are tracking an August grant opportunity for Lions Park phase 2 and continue to prioritize drainage, street improvements and public-safety-related grants. Elizalde urged residents to participate in community events and surveys, saying public input helps shape which projects the city pursues.

The podcast closed with thanks to Elizalde and a reminder that the city plans to share more information about specific grants and projects through future updates and community engagement opportunities.