Stafford stands to recoup nearly $225,000 in federal money for its Hurricane Beryl emergency response when the City Council votes Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The grant would reimburse 75% of the city's eligible costs from the July 2024 storm, according to the meeting agenda packet. The federal share totals $224,878.35 out of $299,837.79 in eligible expenses. Stafford's local share is $74,959.44.

Fire Chief Jose Magana recommended the council accept the grant in a Sept. 3 memo to Mayor Ken Mathew and the council. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) awarded the subgrant on Aug. 27, and the city received the award package on Sept. 2.

Overtime labor drove most of the cost. City records show 120 laborers logged 3,441 hours at $237,359. Equipment use across 55 units added $59,267, and materials cost $3,210.

During the storm, Stafford crews set up road barricades, conducted search-and-rescue operations, ran generators at 10 locations and established an emergency operations center at City Hall. Fire, police and public works staff led the response, with support from IT, multimedia, finance and Stafford Centre employees.

The council accepted a separate FEMA Beryl reimbursement on a 6-1 vote in September 2025. Council Member Alice Chen cast the lone dissenting vote. The new grant is on the consent agenda.