Forney — The Forney City Council on Nov. 4 approved a series of measures affecting public safety, city records and animal services, including two contract actions with Axon Enterprises Inc. to modernize police video systems and to establish a drone‑as‑first‑responder program.

Chief White, the Forney Police Department chief, told the council the Criminal Investigations Division’s interview‑room camera system is “outdated” and has at times been unreliable during interviews. He said the council‑approved purchase will consolidate video evidence storage with the department’s existing Axon body‑worn and in‑car systems and is budgeted for FY2026 at a five‑year cost of $89,068.40. Councilmember James Traylor moved to approve the contract; Councilmember Weatherford seconded. The motion passed.

The council then approved a separate Axon contract to implement a Drone‑as‑First‑Responder (DFR) program. Chief White said the department’s older DJI Mavic 2 drones no longer meet FAA remote‑ID requirements and are at end of service life. He told the council the proposed package — budgeted in FY2026 — totals $278,873.60 over five years, includes multiple drones and longer battery life (about 30 minutes per flight), and will permit live aerial streaming tied to incident records. Councilmember Schlenzker moved to approve the DFR contract; Councilmember Helm seconded. Council members asked about city coverage and response time; Chief White said the drone deployment radius from the police station will cover the entire city and that all flights will be logged to the incident. The motion passed.

On animal services, the council adopted an ordinance (assigned No. 2530) to raise the dog adoption fee from $75 to $95. Chief White said the Animal Shelter Committee voted May 21, 2025, to increase the fee to offset the cost of providing microchips and related services for every dog entering the shelter. Councilmember Schlenzker moved to approve the ordinance; Councilmember Salgado seconded. The motion carried.

The council also adopted an ordinance updating position classifications and maximum positions for the Police and Fire departments in accordance with Texas Local Government Code §143.021 and eliminating the police corporal rank as allowed under §143.014. The ordinance was assigned No. 2531. Councilmember Weatherford moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Schlenzker seconded. The motion passed.

Separately, the council approved an ordinance designating the city secretary as the city’s public information coordinator and designating citysecretary@forneyatx.gov as the official email for public information requests, as required by the Texas Government Code, chapter 552 (ordinance No. 2532). City Secretary Miss Rios said routing requests to a single, monitored address will streamline tracking and response; councilmembers discussed procedures for redirecting requests sent to other staff. Councilmember Helm moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilmember Schlenzker seconded. The motion passed.

During the meeting the council presented a Life‑Saving Award to firefighters and care‑flight personnel for their resuscitation and transport of a non‑breathing patient on June 1, 2025. A single resident, Kathy Green, urged the council during open forum to address long‑term parking and trailers on West Church Street that she said obstruct travel and emergency access.

City Manager Daniels also announced the Forney Police Department will launch a citywide traffic section on Nov. 10, 2025, funded by the Forney Crime Control and Prevention District, and noted a special council meeting set for Dec. 16 to address Planning & Zoning items with mandatory deadlines.

The council recessed into executive session on several litigation and personnel matters and returned to adjourn the meeting without reporting any action taken in executive session.