Denison council approves police equipment purchases and upholds law enforcement agreement

The Denison City Council on Jan. 7 approved multiple public-safety items, including Addendum A to the Law Enforcement Center Joint Operation Agreement and purchases of equipment for the Police Department.

Council voted unanimously to approve Addendum A for the Law Enforcement Center joint operation agreement. The council also approved a quote from Stalker Radar for four antenna radars at $9,669; Garcia said the Govern’s Safety Traffic Bureau grant will reimburse up to $8,000 and the Police Department equipment account will cover the remainder. The quote does not include installation, which Garcia noted will be $250 per radar for three radars; the fourth radar's installation is included with a vehicle upfit.

Council debated a previously ordered 2025 Ford Explorer after staff said the vehicle was ordered in June 2024 without prior council approval. "Team Auto contacted the City and stated that since the vehicle was a special order and special outfit, they cannot return the vehicle," Garcia said, and the purchase agreement showed Chief Trejo's signature. Garcia said the vehicle was a budgeted item and that the City Attorney recommended approving the purchase to avoid harming relationships with local businesses. The council approved the purchase from Team Auto Group for $35,337, including a trade-in, on a 4–1 vote; Councilmember Miller voted no.

No additional public-safety expenditures were approved beyond those listed and the council did not amend the police budget at the Jan. 7 meeting. Implementation steps include processing purchase orders and scheduling radar installation and vehicle upfitting.