Council to take action to ratify and approve the submission of a $445,988.81 grant application for the Fiscal Year 2026 Local Border Support Fund through the Arizona Department of Public Safety to sup

4.P
CITY OF BUCKEYE
Regular Council Meeting
COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/16/25
AGENDA ITEM: 4.P. FIN Arizona
Department of Public Safety - Fiscal Year
2026 Local Border Support Fund Grant
Application
DATE PREPARED: 09/11/25
DISTRICT NO.: All
STAFF LIAISON: Rob Roach, Grant Program Manager, rroach@buckeyeaz.gov,
(623) 349-6165
DEPARTMENT: Financial Services
AGENDA ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
Items / New Business
ACTION/MOTION: (This language identifies the formal motion to be made by the Council) 
Council to take action to ratify and approve the submission of a $445,988.81 grant application for the
Fiscal Year 2026 Local Border Support Fund through the Arizona Department of Public Safety to support
the first-year salary and employee-related expenses of a detective, a new vehicle for the detective, and
the acquisition of a quadruped fentanyl sensing robot, in the amount of $445,988.81 over a one-year
period from the date of a fully executed grant agreement, with no City of Buckeye matching requirement,
said grant to fund the remaining cost of the quadruped robot that was partially funded under the Fiscal
Year 2026 Fentanyl Diversion, Prosecution, and Testing grant through the Arizona Department of Public
Safety ($127,011.19); and authorize the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Attorney, and the City Clerk to
take the steps necessary to submit the Grant application on behalf of the City of Buckeye.
SUMMARY
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Buckeye Police Department's goal is to remove local border-related crimes from the community,
especially related to drug, weapons, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, through the submission of
a grant application that supports the acquisition of a fentanyl-sensing lifesaving robot, the salary and
employee-related expenses for a detective for one year, and a new vehicle for the detective. The robot
can sense fentanyl and other forms of illicit substances. The robot can also approach at-risk areas to
perform a variety of high-risk tasks, including fentanyl identification, process serving, service of warrants,
monitoring video and audio surveillance activities, two-way communications, video feeds, etc. The robot
can climb stairs, traverse irregular surfaces, right itself when it tips over, open doors, and retrieve items.
If awarded, and after the one-year grant period is complete, Buckeye will have the ability to retain or
eliminate the detective position. 
BENEFITS:
The Buckeye Police Department's goal is to remove local border-related crimes from the community,
especially related to drug, weapons, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, while ensuring the safety
of law enforcement officers and the community. Funding for a detective, quadruped robot, and dedicated
vehicle will significantly improve Buckeye's ability to interdict and dismantle border-related criminal
operations impacting the community. The fentanyl-sensing quadruped robot can identify unknown
substances and increase the number of successful charges against suspects, which leads to a greater
positive impact on the community. The quadruped robot is also a safer hazardous substance detection
strategy than utilizing a law enforcement K-9, as the exposure to these lethal substances is greatly
reduced for both the K-9 and the K-9 handler. 
FUTURE ACTION:
If awarded, the award agreement will be presented to Council for approval. After the grant funding has
been exhausted, any additional quadruped robot and vehicle needs and/or maintenance will be funded

by the police department's General Fund account. If available, the Grants Team will pursue other
potential grant funding opportunities to fund additional needs. Regarding the detective, after the grant's
one-year funding has been exhausted, Buckeye may retain the detective through the General Fund
budget or eliminate the position.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT:
The grant request amount is $445,988.81 with no City of Buckeye matching requirement. The total
project cost is $445,988.81 over a one-year period.
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TOTAL COST:
If awarded, approximately $445,988.81 is expected to be expended in Fiscal Year 2026 with
$445,988.81 reimbursable based on the grant budget. 
BUDGETED:
Yes
FISCAL YEAR:
2026
FUND/DEPARTMENT:
Grant Organization Account/35732121
Items related to a project or facility location must include an attached vicinity map for Council
Review.
ATTACHMENTS:
CAR Recap DPS Local Border Support Fund Application.docx
Application Form - Local Border Support Fund.docx