Commission approves budget amendment to expand drone program, bus-stop cameras and real-time crime center

The City Commission approved Ordinance 6a on first reading to amend the current fiscal-year operating and capital improvement budget and allocate funds to a citywide security program that includes expansion of the drone program, CCTV cameras at bus stops and a real-time crime center.

"This item is a budget amendment in the amount of $2,000,009.08 to the citywide security project to support public safety initiatives, including the expansion of our drone program, installation of CCTV cameras at bus stops, and implementation of the real time crime center," the city manager said during the presentation. Staff said bus-stop cameras would cover 22 stops, stream live to the police department, and that footage would be retained for 30 days.

During public comment resident Ken Percy urged caution, raising a broader concern about new debt in the city's budget. Commissioners pressed staff on the amendment's effect on an emergency pedestrian bridge project that has been carried in the CIP for several years but remains pending coordination with FPL. "We were directed at that [budget] meeting, a consensus, to remove it," the deputy city manager said, adding the bridge would be brought back once FPL and the city have an actionable plan.

Several commissioners reiterated frustration that long-carried CIP items give the appearance of an inflated wish list and urged more aggressive follow-up with utilities. After debate the commission voted to approve the ordinance on first reading; staff said second reading is scheduled for August.