A local government may issue one and possibly two resolutions during the life of a project. The first resolution may authorize the local government to file the application. If the application is selected for funding, another resolution may be issued to authorize signing the grant agreement and to designate an officer (usually the mayor, city manager, or county judge) to execute the agreement.

Some local governments have enacted an authorizing ordinance wherein an officer is designated as having authority to execute any agreement on behalf of the local government.

The authorizing resolution or ordinance must be retained by the subgrantee in order to verify the authority of the local government to enter into the agreement.