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Gonzales council adopts FY2025–26 capital outlay budget after debate over police vests and body cameras
Summary
The Gonzales City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4277 to approve the FY2025–26 capital outlay budget after discussing whether to add funding for police bulletproof vests and body‑worn cameras; council scheduled a special meeting next week to introduce the full police and fire budgets.
The Gonzales City Council on June 13 adopted Ordinance No. 4277, approving the city's fiscal year 2025–26 capital outlay budget after debate about adding police bulletproof vests and body cameras.
During the public hearing and ensuing discussion, a council member asked when removed items such as vests and cameras would return to the capital outlay list. City administration asked Mr. Jacob to speak and a person addressed as the Chief explained that the ordinance "authorizes continuation of existing contracts" but does not automatically authorize new purchases. The Chief said departments must bring proposed new items to administration and then request council approval "either in a package or department by department." The Chief added, "It allows you to continue to pay on your the one you have in the contract."
Council members pressed whether the police vests and cameras were included in lease lines or would require separate capital authorization. The council record includes a figure that the two items would total about $60,000; the draft amendment discussed specifying $22,500 for bulletproof vests and listing 11 body‑worn cameras (the transcript records the cameras' line as "355," an amount that is unclear in the record). Council and staff also noted vehicle leases and other contract lines that remain authorized under the ordinance.
A motion to adopt the ordinance as amended was put to a final vote and passed; the recorded roll call in the transcript shows multiple "yes" votes and at least one "no." The transcript does not identify the formal mover or seconder for the final ordinance motion in the recorded text.
Separately, council voted to call a special meeting for Friday, June 20, 2025, at 8 a.m. to introduce the police and fire department budgets.
The ordinance adoption keeps existing contracts and lease payments moving forward, but staff repeated that any new purchases or line‑item additions not under contract would require a return to council for approval.
