Friendswood Downtown EDC adopts $3.93 million 2025–26 budget and hears police plan for cameras, drones and bollards

The Friendswood Downtown Economic Development Corporation on Sept. 9 adopted its proposed 2025–26 budget and heard a detailed informational presentation from Friendswood Police on proposed downtown public-safety technology and hardening measures.

Stephen (staff) told the board the budget projects more than $1 million in combined sales-tax and interest revenue next fiscal year and a projected ending fund balance of $3,930,082 for 2026. "The ending fund balance for this time next year is $3,930,082," he said. The board moved to adopt the proposed 2025–26 budget; the motion carried on a voice vote.

Chief Rogers and Deputy Chief Reyna described options for expanding the city’s camera network, including Flock license-plate-reader (LPR) cameras, intersection PTZ cameras and standalone cellular 5G cameras. "All it does is captures plates that are going through there," Chief Rogers said of the LPR system, explaining it ties into state and national databases for AMBER and Silver alerts and serious wanted-person matches. Eric, a department technology presenter, illustrated the system’s use: "We got an alert at 4am about a stolen car coming into town," he said, describing a case that led to a vehicle stop and arrests.

Staff outlined costs and procurement models. Presenters said some turnkey intersection systems can cost roughly $12,000 each because of fiber and right-of-way constraints, while in-house-built camera enclosures can cost about $5,000. They discussed a Flock “wing” option that allows agencies to host video through the Flock network and estimated recurring service fees in the low thousands per camera annually. Chief Rogers added that some alerts (TCIC/NCIC, Amber and Silver alerts) remain enabled while agencies can toggle other alert types.

Board members pressed on privacy and operational details. Chief Rogers said the system can disable lower-priority alerts (for example, sex-offender alerts) to reduce nuisance notifications and that police share an investigatory “hot list” with partner agencies to push alerts across jurisdictions.

Staff said this meeting was informational; if the board wishes to proceed it will bring a formal proposal and pricing in October. Staff noted any purchases and installations on FM roads would require TxDOT permitting and that City Council must approve the release of district funds. Presenters said, on an expedited track with permits and approvals, installations could be substantially in place by July 4 of the following year.

The board did not vote on cameras, drones or bollards at the meeting. Members asked staff to return with a firm proposal, permitting plan and estimated costs for council consideration. The EDC will review the formal presentation in October, and any fund release would need City Council approval.