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Vineyard mayor, chief deputy outline sheriff budget with five new Flock cameras and RAD Women funding
Summary
Chief deputy Holden told council the sheriff's proposed FY2026-27 budget would maintain 18 sworn positions, add five Flock cameras (about $3,000 each per year), and fund equipment for a RAD Women self-defense program; council pressed staff for privacy, staffing and vehicle-auction credit details.
Mayor Zach Stratton opened the work session and turned the budget presentation to city staff and the sheriff's representative. Chief deputy Holden said the proposal keeps sworn staffing at 18 positions and includes two targeted budget requests: five additional camera units for the Flock system and equipment funding for the RAD Women self-defense program.
"So the proposed budget right now is to stay status quo on staffing, with our 18 sworn positions," Holden said, then described the two additions: five cameras for the Flock network and supplies for the RAD Women training. He said the three positions added in January were previously budgeted for only half a fiscal year, and that full-year costs plus annual contract increases partially explain the year-over-year jump in the sheriff's line items.
Councilmembers asked technical and fiscal follow-ups. Holden said the Flock cameras currently capture one direction and adding cameras will allow bidirectional coverage in critical locations. On privacy, he stated that the system does not use facial-recognition, stores footage for 30 to 45 days, and requires a legitimate law-enforcement purpose to access video with a complete audit trail.
On fleet replacement, Holden said the county replaces vehicles and either returns them to the city or auctions them; proceeds are returned as bill credits. "I believe it was close to $80,000 in bill credits last fiscal year," he said, and estimated auction proceeds around $20,000 per Tahoe in typical condition. Council asked staff to include those credits in revenue projections as the budget work continues.
The council did not take a formal vote on the sheriff's budget at the work session; staff said more detailed budget documents and follow-ups would be provided at future meetings.
