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Police, fire and staff pitch technology and health investments as part of budget discussions
Summary
Chiefs and staff outlined a proposed 10‑year replacement/maintenance contract with Axon for body‑worn and fleet systems and discussed related supplemental requests including motorcycles, drones and firefighter cancer screenings under the Wake Cannon Act.
Highland Village police and fire leadership used the July 14 work session to press for several supplemental investments tied to public‑safety operations, training and employee health.
Police staff compared the existing Axon contract to a ten‑year replacement and technology contract. Presenters explained the proposed 10‑year agreement would raise the city’s annual outlay in early years but would lock in periodic hardware refreshes, unlimited evidence storage, training vouchers and discounted equipment pricing, producing a modeled aggregate 10‑year net savings when equipment discounts are counted.
“...we would save over the course of this new 10 year contract $387,000, by going to a 10 year starting fiscal year 2026,” said the police presenter (Speaker 13) explaining the discount and warranty structure included in the vendor’s quote.
Council asked about near‑term cash impacts and whether the tax‑note funding route or other financing could be used for equipment. Police leadership also proposed adding hybrid motorcycles for trail and park patrol and discussed a previously considered drone program; council sought demonstration rides and clarification on training costs, liability and maintenance before approving any purchases.
Fire leaders asked the council to fund occupational cancer screening mandated by the Wake Cannon Act. Staff explained the statute’s onsite screening requirement and presented a recommended vendor and cost scenarios. The chief noted a dispute over the regulator’s interpretation of the five‑year timing requirement for screening (whether prior service elsewhere counts), and asked for council direction on whether to offer screening to all firefighters with cumulative service rather than only those with five years on the job in Highland Village.
Separately, staff proposed installing a monitored, public‑access AED at the ballfields, estimating roughly $8,500 for equipment and cabinet; the system includes a communications package that notifies staff or dispatch when the cabinet is opened. Council asked about vandalism risk and data retention; staff said the system provides alerts and photographic evidence of access and that they would coordinate dispatch alerts.
