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Bunker Hill Village council backs MVPD grant application, approves refund spending and FY2026 budget
Summary
Council authorized a Memorial Villages Police Department grant application to fund ALPR cameras, a virtual task force and shared records software; approved using a $100,000 city refund to replace AEDs and a call-logger; and adopted MVPD’s FY2026 budget as recommended by the Police Commission.
The Bunker Hill Village City Council on May 20 approved a resolution authorizing the Memorial Villages Police Department (MVPD) to apply for and receive grants from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority and separately approved budget actions tied to a planned refund.
Chief Schultz told the council the grant, part of Senate Bill 224, is intended to combat catalytic-converter theft and other vehicle crimes and would be used to "increase the number of ALPR cameras," reinstitute a virtual task force to share information on active suspects and to purchase software to share criminal records across the Houston area. Because MVPD is not a standalone municipal applicant, Bunker Hill Village will be listed as the grantee if the application is awarded. Councilmember Josh Pratt moved the resolution; Councilmember Susan Schwartz seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Council also approved Budget Amendment 2025.01 to allocate the $100,000 refund each city will receive (a total of $300,000 across the three Memorial Villages). Chief Schultz said the Police Commission recommended replacing all 21 vehicle AEDs immediately because the devices are at the end of their useful life; staff estimated replacement at about $50,000 and estimated roughly $50,000 for a replacement call-logger system used in dispatch. The council voted 4-0 to approve the amendment.
Later in the meeting, after Councilmember Andrew Poor arrived and took the oath of office, the council approved MVPD’s FY2026 budget as recommended by the Police Commission. Chief Schultz presented a total FY2026 request of $8,680,494; the minutes list each city’s share as $2,860,165. Councilmember Josh Pratt moved approval; Councilmember Carl Moerer seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Council members asked questions about staffing and technology priorities during the presentation. Mayor Keith Brown expressed concern that "a nearly 6% increase over the 2025 budget is excessive," while Councilmember Carl Moerer said the budget focuses on attracting and retaining personnel and investing in technology residents expect.
The council recorded no further formal conditions attached to the grant authorization. If the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority award is made, MVPD will prepare and administer the grant with the City of Bunker Hill Village listed as the grantee.
