[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520907,"mediaKeyId","5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c","parentId",5116112,"title","Residents and groups urge public-safety trust and promote preparedness and ADA anniversary events","audioSeconds",458,"startMs",2517000,"endMs",2975000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c&start=2517&end=2975","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c/thumbnail_2517000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520907/Brownsville/Cameron-County/Texas/Residents-and-groups-urge-public-safety-trust-and-promote-preparedness-and-ADA-anniversary-events","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520907-ec7f853d9ff5c53c83de96f2d7cc427f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195611&Signature=m~kZPY5dqxCUKT9-bfkf5~XfLlbDJj2UypUpV0xRLzqcwH7YLrkiWMWa0vc0wAoPmhMfEYmgGpOKyDSbPHDhijAr4c00WXJpv2ZllidUqnaNJse27uNrehL3sZAAFn9Ld2jU5bKae0ak-HGEf6GdePsUi8IZfaS2G31aDL-qFlGyHfepf08s9rQPVvDo1rxdwVqJHQXSXx6BLlP8mpGkwgofxTGRoF7cJfAqAehTr51YMupjl98MOKPxchhKoA7tYL7JMCcMmmICzflpNYnHdz2cSN1Bv3AyMKeeSXE23nUrNZHNo5PnScWtF6aanqxmXYaPTSD7PJlcB9IVTRTT1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brownsville","date","2025-07-02T13:22:26Z","article","Several public speakers used the July 1 meeting’s public-comment period to promote events and raise concerns about policing and community trust.

Javier Dominguez, executive analyst with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, spoke on behalf of Cesar Merla about the Listo RGV conference (formerly Ready RGV), scheduled for September at Margaritaville on South Padre Island. Dominguez said the event will offer training and continuing-education credits for emergency managers and law enforcement and will include behavioral-health CEUs for the first time.

Sergio Zarate, chair of the Brownsville Special Needs Advisory Board, invited commissioners to a July 26 Walk and Roll event at Linear Park marking the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary; he said the city has not previously celebrated the date and asked for commission support.

Resident Yolanda Spies urged the commission to meet with community members in an un-timed town hall to address public-safety and community trust concerns. Spies cited instances of perceived unequal enforcement and said some residents remain reluctant to call police. She asked that a commissioner speak to her after the meeting to plan a town-hall format that allows residents to speak without time limits.

The commission acknowledged the comments and several commissioners said staff would follow up on event logistics and look into the request for a town hall format that encourages more open dialogue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Meeting 07/01/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Public speakers at the July 1 Brownsville City Commission meeting urged commissioners to support emergency-preparedness and ADA anniversary events and called for a town-hall conversation on policing and community trust.","taxTitle","Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas","taxId",2775,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520911,"Commission approves 10-year Axon contract for cameras, software and drones",928,8948000,9876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c&start=8948&end=9876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c/thumbnail_8948000.jpg","/articles/6520911/Brownsville/Cameron-County/Texas/Commission-approves-10-year-Axon-contract-for-cameras-software-and-drones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520911-f89287f371c3f46075b44023cbdeff02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195611&Signature=W6UxUOEF9KF7H7udbWV51wK-E-X0eDTcGWa-zm-iD1yhqMjITTqYyu7dGOf1zyBd-mHUHzmqLiVDOHUJBYnzjaQwKuROANYBdNT6vi~W9iQ~c3xBALTqbLLG-5nDOkWBetA1hNzfsRMMhOHu-u7P9gk7GWWAVvMYpvrQadevx~RiQOUqZV9Ik26L41msOVmNYlmtxbbGqU2fXlIsdDMvd8LIX-0-ilZJhsdymWWQqKemDlHROsCMIb6x8jhCiOeEYcaAAIqJrsyM~2tKBgsJBdOkVi2iZTyN68~JFukYJHLTICFi-XGbh0Yr1zfdKC4dFo8rZwUYivNvbffOnGWSOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brownsville City Commission on July 1 approved a 10-year contract with Axon Enterprise for body-worn cameras, taser units, cloud-based evidence management software, and 10 Skydio drones with docking stations.

City staff described the agreement as a continuation and expansion of existing equipment: the department has used Axon body cameras and Tasers previously and has integrated the Fusus platform for camera aggregation and its real-time crime center. The contract, as presented in meeting materials, includes hardware, software, unlimited cloud storage and access to future Axon AI products released during the contract term. The cost listed in the meeting packet is $12,574,049.53; the first-year payment was noted as budgeted at $990,000.

Police staff said the 10 drones are proposed to be stationed at several fire stations to maximize citywide coverage and allow quicker scene assessments; they described anticipated improvements in response time for drone-supported calls and a plan to use a mix of automated and piloted flights tied into dispatch. The presentation said the department currently has certified drone operators and that officers and dispatch would be able to request drone support for major incidents and collisions.

Commission discussion touched on operator staffing, deployment protocols, data storage and upgrades. An Axon representative explained the drones can operate autonomously to a pinned location and then be piloted on scene; staff said the department will implement policies and training as it deploys the technology.

Commissioner Pedro Cardenas moved to approve the contract and Commissioner Linda Macias seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote. City staff will bring a deployment and training schedule to the commission as part of implementation reporting.","The commission approved a decade-long contract with Axon Enterprise for body cameras, tasers, evidence-management software and 10 Skydio drones; staff said the package includes software upgrades, unlimited cloud storage and drone docks to be staged at selected fire stations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520916,"Finance staff outlines budget orientation and $404 million capital-improvement program",1101,10200000,11301000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c&start=10200&end=11301","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c/thumbnail_10200000.jpg","/articles/6520916/Brownsville/Cameron-County/Texas/Finance-staff-outlines-budget-orientation-and-404-million-capital-improvement-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520916-cdfb2f1f258194088b994a955c3b76bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195611&Signature=DoFRtAhN4WP3NJKuR6GT6jtHwlVnn6IUBMnpYpvMyXOe2RuIPCli3cnFmaPE74YrGWE4O-1ASpvgDNgfHDgFDCW5DhKydR8u4Z5wbDWRIbwrtI1fyJeUiKaeh9Gd8CfMF56gyNHUHCNk3KssvH2YmlCCkHCQUElUTSc0u-vbMlTagLde96GhRJzPNEpvug9pzqR-hGmy4ajEiBXt6JAeigO4E4YJWerxYJecfqUvwIfdwVB7pgwX-GMSqvh1BYoReRdk5ITmBpFYyBaA9rQqiveKMOli7Q4ja~xXTwmSHedJ~6pwQsTQOZj8MH-1T4j0CDhDOyln1OzD4ImWcboOBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Interim Finance Director Steven Aliso Muse gave the commission a budget orientation on July 1 that covered state statutes affecting local budgets, the city’s budget process and assumptions, FY25 revenue and expenditure projections, and the current capital improvement plan (CIP).

Aliso Muse reviewed Senate Bill 2 (the 2019 property-tax revenue cap) and House Bill 19 (a debt-cap proposal discussed during the recent legislative session that did not pass). He told commissioners the city is projecting about $144 million in revenues and roughly $140 million in expenditures for FY25, leaving a projected surplus of about $4 million at year end. He also described internal policy choices such as a self-imposed 37% sales-tax cap and a 90-day minimum fund balance policy intended to provide three months of operating reserves.

The presentation described a CIP that has grown from $83 million in 2021 to $404 million in current plans, including roughly $293 million supported by Certificates of Obligation and $111 million programmed from grants or partnerships. Staff said about 31% of the CIP is grant funded. Projects listed included the zoo expansion, public-safety complex design, library and city-hall renovations, airport runway reconstruction (phased), parks and trail work, drainage projects leveraging Texas Water Development Board funding, landfill cell construction, and heavy equipment purchases.

Aliso Muse also summarized recent personnel and benefits changes: phased salary and longevity adjustments, two cost-of-living adjustments, a minimum wage increase to $13 per hour, implementation of flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 and a six-week paid parental leave benefit.

Commissioners asked specific questions about timing for Dennett Road and other streets cited by residents; staff said those roadways are included in the multi-year CIP but that permitting or funding constraints mean some projects remain beyond the immediate five-year window. Commissioners asked staff to bring traffic and capacity analyses for roads raised in public comment during future workshops.","Interim finance director presented an overview of Brownsville’s budget process, FY25 projections showing a projected $4 million surplus, and a capital improvement plan totaling roughly $404 million with about 31% grant funding; commissioners asked for continued data on priorities and road projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520921,"Lobbyist summarizes 89th Texas legislative session and flags future special session items",1787,3253000,5040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c&start=3253&end=5040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c/thumbnail_3253000.jpg","/articles/6520921/Brownsville/Cameron-County/Texas/Lobbyist-summarizes-89th-Texas-legislative-session-and-flags-future-special-session-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520921-cfdb2ef01a499d80369b318895f12dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195612&Signature=aaGIoovfEzc-DVC7lPOCduN-mJty56KJ-ca49BBj7liRTcD7QXct6xpTI405N9-BJAoTtc4DpJfjly213xTVcOwZgMLS5lSNC1ghhUd-NoCMRe7cdtx9x58eCXWmg6yUfhPyv2rbSBS-McCMKk2aIkq2TApktKpsUg1FkSE58rvZpLG~r0BkDMwKN8gl6uAntY0jfOwEn3Bso~zPmytNAfYtUgC~D6S7u23iPqn63MH8hWqRq9blZ583nERC0n2hHJUB-HZtQBBpR1ocakwsVXfKs4ct1IU9imvPm7RAVsgbBJKy1gwIogQJ7l03mX6BcBwK9Y53R1XAtYlqHRtgyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Snapper Carr, partner and general counsel at Focused Advocacy in Austin, briefed the Brownsville City Commission on the 89th Texas legislative session and its implications for local government.

Carr said the session produced a record 9,014 bill filings; roughly one-third of those (about 2,600) touched city operations. He told commissioners 1,213 bills ultimately passed and that many of the bills of consequence to cities either failed or were heavily bracketed. Areas he said the city should track include proposals affecting local fiscal tools (debt limits and property-tax measures), limits on local land-use authority, and economic-development incentives.

Carr highlighted several bills and proposals discussed during the session: extensive water-infrastructure funding and direct appropriations to local projects; debates over limits on local debt issuance and property-tax tools, including an earlier House proposal that would have introduced a hard debt cap; and several land-use bills that, if enacted without brackets, would have narrowed local regulatory control. He said the governor’s priorities (property-tax relief, water infrastructure, teacher pay, and support for the space industry) largely advanced and that the governor called a special session with items to be reconsidered beginning July 21.

Carr also told the commission that some bills created new reporting or penalty requirements for municipalities — for example, a bill imposing penalties for failure to file or post municipal audits — and that food-truck and backup-generator statutes included statewide preemption language city staff would need to review for local impact.

Commissioners asked about specific bills that could affect Brownsville’s capital program, including a proposed measure that would have imposed a 20% hard cap on tax-supported debt; staff said that proposal did not pass. Carr urged continued engagement during the special session and interim hearings to protect local authority and secure funding opportunities for projects such as water and space-industry infrastructure.","A legislative consultant told Brownsville commissioners the 89th Texas Legislature produced a record number of bill filings with a relatively low passage rate and highlighted major policy areas that could affect cities, including property-tax actions, land-use preemption and large water-infrastructure funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520925,"City commission approves police technology contract, annexation and speed-limit change; rezoning put on hold",41,12028000,12069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c&start=12028&end=12069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5116112-612ded05fa97d7843d16547350cdcc1c/thumbnail_12028000.jpg","/articles/6520925/Brownsville/Cameron-County/Texas/City-commission-approves-police-technology-contract-annexation-and-speed-limit-change-rezoning-put-on-hold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520925-916429426eb186f10128960acef84e5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195612&Signature=RmQpkmIY8RRWYnI64zOfiC03sOU4T6IQFhIttZPkHToxfIR5qDGMDeo5py7rOXnYg~S6CzYf21rhNqh5nozYuN9kH99xXbUgnN2NwrIxKG-dfKrVjRKvFd-CuhMcBB3FQ7ruoHJL8tj4m6APk-2kuPMZtGXxxPUI-GE~tI7c7NCLVNyUoYIatRAscJ1~cmfaHWt-KHFyWGjSsiGqySQLGqaZNrX1PR8eYYzvRAqKH8KEfbxod5IPeG7yBwCVkEOhSHrkHA7~mWIh1X7SyPKC00OPRFukVz9CyTCIwNtZYJKF7pZQJUwv~9DxOLrRJv7ag~QcQLYcOhzXRmv6R19MrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brownsville City Commission on July 1 approved several items including a 10-year contract for police body cameras, tasers and drones, and two ordinances on first reading while tabling a rezoning request pending a traffic study.

The commission voted to enter a 10-year contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. for body-worn cameras, tasers, evidence management software, and 10 Skydio drones with docking stations and related hardware and services. The contract price stated in the meeting materials is $12,574,049.53. Commissioner Pedro Cardenas moved the contract approval and Commissioner Linda Macias seconded; the motion carried.

Separately, the commission approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2025-1775 to annex into the city limits a 4.75-acre tract on New Carmen Avenue for planned warehousing development. Commissioner Pedro Cardenas moved approval and Commissioner Brian Martinez seconded; the motion carried.

The commission also approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2025-1776 to reduce the posted speed limit on FM 550 frontage roads from 70 mph to 60 mph between Paredes Line Road and Baker Lane. The change follows a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) speed reassessment that cited crash and roadway data. Commissioner Linda Macias moved the change and Commissioner Brian Martinez seconded; the motion carried.

A rezoning request for a roughly 9.18-acre property on Dennett Road that would have allowed duplex development (originally 33 lots, later revised to 32 with on-site detention) was tabled to the Aug. 5 meeting so the applicant can provide a traffic study. Commissioner Pedro Cardenas moved to table and Commissioner Linda Macias seconded; the commission directed the applicant to deliver a professional traffic analysis before the next hearing.

In executive-session follow-up, the commission authorized the city manager and city attorney to negotiate and finalize a license agreement with a local food bank; Commissioner Brian Martinez moved the directive and Commissioner Linda Macias seconded.

Other routine items, including the consent agenda, passed at the start of the meeting.","At its July 1 meeting the Brownsville City Commission approved a 10-year public-safety technology contract, annexed 4.75 acres, and voted to lower a frontage-road speed limit; a rezoning request for Dennett Road was tabled pending a traffic study.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents and groups urge public-safety trust and promote preparedness and ADA anniversary events

Commission approves 10-year Axon contract for cameras, software and drones

Finance staff outlines budget orientation and $404 million capital-improvement program

Lobbyist summarizes 89th Texas legislative session and flags future special session items

City commission approves police technology contract, annexation and speed-limit change; rezoning put on hold