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Council approves three public‑safety grant applications for cameras, equipment and rifle armor
Summary
The council unanimously approved resolutions to submit office‑of‑the‑governor grant applications for body‑worn cameras, criminal‑justice technology and rifle‑resistant body armor; two grants are 100% funded and one covers 75% of costs.
The Navasota City Council voted to approve three separate resolutions authorizing grant applications to the Office of the Governor for police equipment and technology.
Chief of Police Mike Myers told the council he routinely applies for grants when opportunities arise. "I apply for grants when I can see them," Myers said, and he described each request and its city cost share or lack thereof.
Why it matters: If awarded, the grants will expand the police department's equipment and technical capacity largely without new local general‑fund expense. The grants will allow the department to purchase additional body‑worn cameras, a digital forensics workstation and vehicle wireless links, and rifle‑resistant exterior armor for officers.
Details: Resolution 803‑25 would apply for the Governor's body‑worn camera grant, which covers 75 percent of the project cost. Myers said the department had budgeted for two body cameras but, if the grant is awarded, could acquire eight total cameras — six funded through the grant and two from existing budget — for a total purchase of about $14,000. He estimated the city share at roughly $3,500 and the grant portion at a little over $10,000.
Resolution 804‑25 seeks a criminal justice technology grant for approximately $75,000 to purchase a high‑capacity workstation (described by staff as a "supercomputer" for large electronic downloads) and investigator laptops; that request and the related vehicle wireless cradle systems were described as 100 percent grant funded if received.
Resolution 805‑25 applies for a rifle‑resistant body armor grant to purchase exterior plate armor for new positions; Myers said the total cost would be a bit over $9,200 and that the grant would cover the full amount.
Council action: Motions to approve each resolution carried with unanimous voice votes recorded in the meeting: the body‑worn camera resolution (803‑25) was moved and seconded and the clerk recorded the motion as "Motion by Mr. Fulks, second by Mr. Geffner" before the council voted in favor. Similar motions and unanimous approvals were recorded for the criminal‑justice and rifle‑resistant armor grants.
Next steps: Staff will submit the grant applications to the Office of the Governor. The grants require award notices before city purchases proceed; in one case the council noted the city had budgeted some equipment should the grant not be awarded.
