Rosenberg council approves $1,000 monthly stipend for new police motorcycle unit

Rosenberg City Council voted unanimously to adopt a policy for a new police motorcycle unit and to set a monthly stipend of $1,000 for officers who participate in the program.

The council approved resolution R-3827, which adopts a motorcycle unit policy and authorizes the city manager to execute a motorcycle lease agreement on behalf of the city. Council members debated whether to keep an earlier-proposed stipend of $6.50 or increase it after Fort Bend County raised its stipend for motorcycle officers to $1,200.

Why it matters: Council members said the stipend level could affect recruitment and retention of officers trained to operate police motorcycles, and they sought to balance competitiveness with the city’s budget constraints.

Councilmember Jessica moved to raise the stipend to $1,000 a month; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. Council discussion centered on whether the program should be treated as a short “pilot,” equipment and insurance concerns for officers using personal motorcycles, and the municipality’s ability to provide fuel and training.

Chief Jonathan White told the council the department had reviewed other local agencies’ stipends and that the decision was ultimately a council matter. He said the department had planned a two-officer startup to evaluate whether the program met departmental needs and that officers chosen for the unit would still go through comprehensive motorcycle training, which the city would pay for. “It’s really a council decision,” White said during the discussion.

City staff clarified the council-approved agreement provides up to five gallons of fuel per officer per day (estimated in the discussion at roughly $350 per month per officer). Council members raised concerns that officers using personal motorcycles could face maintenance, insurance and other out-of-pocket costs; one councilmember referenced a public breakdown showing a $700 monthly cost burden to an officer in another jurisdiction.

Staff and the chief said there was no established line item in the current budget for the stipend and that adding the $1,000 stipend would require a budget amendment or be funded from available fund balance. Several council members urged competitiveness with neighboring agencies to avoid rapid turnover after the city trained officers for the unit.

The motion to adopt resolution R-3827 with the $1,000 stipend passed unanimously. The resolution also authorizes the city manager to execute the motorcycle lease agreement and directs staff to implement the unit under the adopted policy.

The council scheduled ongoing evaluation of the program after it begins operations; the chief said he would report back to council on the program’s progress.