Trophy Club CPTD seeks $44,331 budget amendment for vehicle upfits; board reviews Axon, drone and firearms-sighting proposals

The Trophy Club Crime Patrol and Prevention District board opened discussion April 23 on a budget amendment to return $44,331 into the 2024–25 CPTD budget to pay for upfitting two new vehicles, and reviewed equipment and program proposals for the next fiscal year.

Board discussion focused on equipment that would affect day-to-day policing and evidence collection. A board member introduced the amendment, saying, "Item 2 is a budget amendment ... increasing it by $44,331 for a vehicle upfit," and asked for a motion to approve. A motion and a second were made; the transcript does not record the board's vote on the amendment.

Chief (role recorded in the meeting as "Chief") told the board the funds were originally budgeted in the 2024 capital expense line but reverted to the CPTD fund balance after the fiscal year closed Sept. 30. "This is just an amendment to bring that money back into our budget," the Chief said, adding that if the board approved the amendment it would go to Town Council on Monday for final action.

Beyond the amendment, the Chief laid out the department's draft priorities for the 2025–26 budget: continue funding established programs (elderly education classes, school resource officer and school programs, the bike-safety program, community events including National Night Out) and invest in several technology and equipment upgrades. "What we're planning on doing for next year's budget is continuing to fund our programs as we have the last several years," the Chief said.

Equipment proposals discussed included: - A planned conversion from the department's current Motorola body/car camera system to Axon, consolidating Taser and camera contracts for tighter integration with court partners. The Chief said the department currently uses Motorola cameras and Axon Tasers and is "looking to switch to Axon." He added that when moved to Axon the procurement would likely be structured as a lease with automatic replacement cycles (device replacement every three years for some devices, car cameras every five years) rather than outright purchase. - A request to add roughly $21,000 to the draft budget to buy a red-dot sighting system and holsters for the department's firearms and to fund associated training. The Chief described the package: "For $21,000 we can buy the sighting system for all of our guns and the holsters to go with it and some training." John, identified in the meeting as the department firearms instructor, demonstrated the sight and explained it is a U.S.-made Trijicon RMR-style red-dot unit. - A possible drone program. The Chief described buying a single, capable drone at about $12,000 and training one operator per shift; he said the drone would have a thermal imager and a high-powered zoom to assist searches on the golf course, parks and other open areas. A board member recommended purchasing two drones to avoid single-point failures; the Chief agreed to discuss that with the town manager.

Other operational items mentioned included the department's speed-trailer data program, ongoing traffic-safety and golf-cart safety work, and the department's small-equipment line item—projected to rise to about $106,000 in the draft budget to reflect some of the proposed purchases. Board members also asked about uniforms and ballistic-vest replacement; the Chief said those costs come from the town general fund uniform budget and that the department receives about 50% federal reimbursement for ballistic vests.

Training and qualification standards were reviewed. The Chief noted the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requires officers to qualify once a year with a minimum score of 70; the Trophy Club department currently qualifies twice a year and sets an internal minimum of 80. The Chief said the new sighting technology could justify future changes to qualification standards.

Board members agreed to hold a budget workshop in May, with public notice, to refine the draft and, if ready, vote at a later meeting. The Chief told the board the town needs budget figures incorporated in time for town finance and Town Council review; the department aims to have a final budget no later than July, with a preference for completion in June so the town manager can fold CPTD numbers into the larger municipal budget.

The transcript shows motions to approve the February minutes and to move the vehicle-upfit budget amendment were made and seconded, but it does not record the results of the roll-call or voice votes.

Ending: The board scheduled a budget workshop in the coming month and closed the meeting at 6:20 p.m.