Commissioners Court - Regular Session

Issue viewing agenda items? Click here to switch to the old format.

Return to the Minutes Page

29.

Meeting Date:	09/28/2010
Submitted For:	Gary Boyd	Submitted By:	Gary Boyd, Parks
Department:	Parks

Information

Agenda Item

Consider and take appropriate action on Local Initiative Project (LIP) grant from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a pilot program to implement and enhance enforcement of a counterfeit inspection certificate program.

Background

Discussions were held with the Sheriff's Department and Precinct 2 personnel to develop this program as a joint activity between the sheriff's department and Precinct 2. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is providing grant funds of $167,652.18 per annum for each of the 2010 and 2011 state fiscal years for a total of $335,304.36. The county has the opportunity to utilize these grant funds with only a 25% match. The grant will enhance activities already being undertaken.

Texas Transportation Code §548.603 allows for a vehicle owner to be cited and the vehicle impounded if a counterfeit motor vehicle inspection certificate is being displayed. The specific citation is a Class B misdemeanor and provides for a $169 fine. TCEQ, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is encouraging this program in enhanced emission testing areas. (Displaying an expired certificate is a Class C violation and is covered under existing enforcement and fines policies.)

Under this grant program Williamson County will have access at no charge other than for training to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Emissions Database(NED). The NCTCOG has had this program in place for several years and has been imputing Travis and Williamson County data since 2006 when the database went “live.”

The counterfeit inspection certificate program will begin as a joint effort of the sheriff's office and Precinct 2 and plans are to expand these activities after approximately six months The initial focus is on individual vehicle violations with a larger and longer term goal of enforcement activities related to identifying inspection stations performing and issuing counterfeit inspection certificates and other activities related to fraudulent certificate offences.

Revenue from enforcement activities is projected to offset the county match for the grant. No additional personnel will be added and if state funding is not extended beyond the committed funding levels enhanced enforcement will be concluded and normal enforcement efforts will resume.

Fiscal Impact

From/To	Acct No.	Description	Amount

Attachments
FAQ sheet
LIP Budget
FAQ Sheet
LIP Budget

Form Review

Inbox	Reviewed By	Date
County Judge Exec Asst.	Wendy Coco	09/24/2010 09:25 AM
Form Started By: Gary Boyd		Started On: 09/22/2010 08:19 AM
Final Approval Date: 09/24/2010