Grant Administration Office

Grant-funded projects throughout the City of McAllen

The Grant Administration Office is responsible for two major grant-related functions:

1. Writing grant applications to secure federal, state, local and foundation funding; and

2. Tracking grant activities to ensure fiscal and programmatic compliance

With a team of six employees, including a Director, Compliance Officer, Grant Coordinator, two Grant Development Specialists and an Administrative Assistant, the office identifies funding sources, prepares grant proposals and provides compliance services to meet the programmatic and fiscal terms and conditions of grant awards.

Upon grant award notification, the Grant Administration Office ensures that grant-funded projects remain in compliance through a series of checks and balances, such as conducting award orientations, tracking grant expenditures and performing compliance and monitoring reviews.

The Office currently manages $62 million in grant funds from various foundation, state and federal funding agencies that impact wide-ranging efforts including Citywide and regional infrastructure maintenance and improvements, economic development, environmental stewardship, public safety and recreation.

The Grant Administration Department is responsible for contractual and expenditure oversight of nonprofits agencies whose programs, services and operations are partially funded through the City's General Fund and the Development Corporation of McAllen, Inc.  This includes 17 nonprofit organizations receiving a cumulative $6.5 million in funding.

These organizations provide a vast array of services for McAllen residents, such as:

• Housing, meals and transportation for the elderly by Amigos Del Valle, Inc.
  
  
• Cultural enrichment provided by the South Texas Symphony Association, McAllen Town Band, McAllen Heritage Center, and the International Museum of Art and Science
• Indigent health care at El Milagro Clinic
  
  
• Educational and recreational services at the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen


• Other funded agencies such as the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Economic Development Corporation provide business and economic development services to McAllen and its international communities.
  
  To promote and ensure compliance, Grant Administration conducts monitoring reviews which focus primarily on expenditures and reported accomplishments.

To further streamline and prioritize the Grant Administration Office’s approach to research, evaluation and selection of grant opportunities, McAllen’s Grant Steering Committee facilitates an ongoing dialogue between City management and grant stakeholders. The Committee enables discussions of needs assessments, grant readiness, projects in the pipeline and possible revenue-generating initiatives.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

Through the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, local governments with populations of 50,000 or more become eligible for funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a wide range of programs and projects dealing with neighborhood improvements and city services. In order to receive the funds from HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and Home Investment Partnership Program, the City must file an application that contains the plan for the use of the funds.

In 2018 the City submitted a 5-Year Consolidated Plan and Strategy which assessed, identified, and forecasted needs through FY 2022-2023. In addition, the City must comply with Federal laws concerning civil rights, payment of wages, environmental review, monitoring requirements, fair housing and any other federal, state, and local regulations. Most importantly, all funded activities must meet at least three national objectives:

• Benefit low -and moderate- income persons
  
  
• Preventing or eliminating of slums or blight  
  
  
• Meet a particularly urgent need    

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:.

Each year the Consolidated Plan and Strategy, timeframe the City must develop an Annual Action Plan. This document should follow the priorities and guidelines proposed in the CPS.

The Grant Administration Office is also charged with the production of the City's Year in Review. The most recent interactive electronic publication, located at https://www.mcallen.net/yearinreview, highlights McAllen's 2022 milestones and goals, and provides citizens with information that compliments the annual State of the City Address by the Mayor.

The McAllen Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council was formed in 2009 in conjunction with the McAllen and Sharyland Independent School Districts in an effort to inform and educate students about local government and its multifaceted system and processes. The MMYAC was active for a few years under Mayor Richard Cortez and in was reestablished in 2017 by Mayor Darling to again provide students a platform for discussion regarding City practices and an opportunity for them to share their innovative ideas regarding such practices.

Students are eligible to serve on the MMYAC once they begin their sophomore year. Each high school in McAllen ISD and Sharyland ISD invites students to apply based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, and teacher recommendations. Two students are selected from each grade level to represent their school on the Council.

For the 2018-2019 school year, students met once a month, each time visiting with different City departments to learn about all the behind the scenes work that occurs on a daily basis. Students were able to hone their leadership skills as they voiced new ideas and questions to department heads and city staff. They were encouraged to become lifelong leaders and remain actively engaged in civic affairs. As the year came to an end, students expressed greater appreciation and pride for being residents of the City of McAllen. Our hope is that students return after college to lead and serve, advancing our City as we continue to grow and thrive.