Monroe County commissioners vote to terminate Flock license‑plate reader contract, authorize camera removal

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted July 23 to terminate the county’s contract with Flock Group and to pursue removal of the vendor’s license‑plate‑reading cameras.

Commissioner Thomas moved “to submit a letter to the Flock Group…to approve a letter of termination, dated today,” and the motion carried. Commissioner Cockrell, who had helped investigate the contract after public inquiries, noted there could be costs to remove cameras: “Namely, we would reimburse the company up to $500 per camera for the removal,” and staff estimated six county cameras could cost about $3,000. County staff said the sheriff’s office indicated it would not object to termination and that some contract versions were signed outside a commissioners’ meeting in 2023; staff said they had forwarded related materials from the auditor’s office for follow up.

Commissioners and staff discussed practical steps before removal, including confirming which contract variant governs removal, identifying which agency is paying for existing equipment, and ensuring cameras are physically removed so third parties cannot continue to collect data. Commissioner Thomas said the cameras had helped in some investigations but that national reporting on misuse of data led to the decision to terminate. The board approved the termination and camera‑removal plan (vote recorded as two in favor, zero opposed).