Montgomery crime control district reviews preliminary FY2026 budget, flags election cost uncertainty

The City of Montgomery Crime Control and Prevention District on June 30 reviewed a preliminary proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 and discussed line items including election costs, a $126,000 Motorola radio purchase, camera and barricade equipment, and recurring drone software fees.

The review, presented by the chief (city staff), was framed as a draft for board consideration rather than a final adoption; the chief told the board, “we haven't got the bill for that yet,” in reference to the district's estimated $30,000 election line item and said the county elections office had not yet built the November election budget.

The discussion mattered because the uncertainty over the elections bill affects whether the district needs to reserve the $30,000 in FY2026. Board members asked whether the district would split election costs with the city; the chief said the county had not confirmed the bill and that the item was included in the draft budget pending that confirmation.

Board members also asked about a $126,000 line for new Motorola radios. The chief described the radios as a replacement set intended to put all units “on the same” system so personnel on different devices can access the same channel. The district reported it currently operates 10 surveillance cameras and plans to add cameras for new subdivisions; the chief said the department now has one drone and listed recurring software costs tied to that equipment.

On staffing the chief told the board the department is “currently fully staffed” but has one sergeant position open and anticipates filling it; the chief also said the district was not planning new hires tied to the budget as presented. The chief gave a timeline for the budget process: staff expected to finalize materials around the week of July 14 and move toward adoption in September, with a subsequent step to present the approved budget to the city council for its approval.

During a separate discussion of future agenda items, a board member asked whether charitable efforts such as “Shop with a Cop” are funded through the district budget. Finance staff clarified that Shop with a Cop donations are managed through the city's finance department and are paid from volunteer donations and the general fund, not the crime control district budget.

No public comments were received during the meeting's public forum, and the board approved the consent agenda including the May 19, 2025 meeting minutes by motion. The board adjourned at 6:21 a.m.

Next steps: staff will attempt to obtain a confirmed election bill from the county before the next board meeting and return a revised budget draft for board action and eventual submission to the city council for final approval.