WHARTON — The Wharton City Council approved several public safety measures during its regular meeting Monday evening, including a state-funded Operation Lone Star grant resolution for the Wharton Police Department and a partnership with the Texas Southern Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Before the council voted on the Operation Lone Star resolution, Wharton Police Chief Terry David Lynch addressed what he said is a common misconception about the grant.

Lynch told the council the funding is provided through the Texas Governor’s Office and is not a federal grant or funding provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He also provided Wharton Post with a memorandum stating, “Not Federal — Not I.C.E. — State-funded thru Governor’s Office.”

According to a separate memorandum from Lynch, the resolution approved Monday was a resubmission requested by the State of Texas to update information following a change in the city’s Finance Director position.

Although the grant is funded by the State of Texas—not the federal government—it is part of Texas’ broader Operation Lone Star initiative, which includes coordination between state agencies and federal partners such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The grant approved by the council, however, is administered through the Governor’s Public Safety Office and funded by the State of Texas.

The council also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) allowing the Wharton Police Department to join the Texas Southern Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

According to Chief Lynch’s memorandum, participation in the task force will provide the department with access to specialized training, investigative resources, technical assistance, and collaborative partnerships with state and federal agencies. The department will also gain access to joint operations and grant-funded resources that would otherwise be unavailable.

Lynch said joining the task force will strengthen the department’s ability to investigate technology-facilitated crimes against children while improving protection for vulnerable members of the community.

He also noted that no Wharton County law enforcement agency currently has representation on the Texas Southern ICAC Task Force, making the Wharton Police Department the first agency in the county to become a participating member.

In addition to those public safety measures, the council approved:

• An agreement for emergency medical services (EMS) billing and collection services.
• The purchase of three Butterfly Ultrasound devices for the Wharton Fire Department.
• Ratification of the emergency replacement of the Wharton Police Department’s security gate.
• Authorization to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for municipal prosecutor legal services.
• Submission of an application to the Lower Colorado River Authority’s 2026 Community Development Partnership Program.
• A grant agreement through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for generator improvements at Wharton ISD campuses.
• Routine appointments and reports involving city boards, commissions and committees.

The meeting adjourned following approval of the agenda items.