City authorizes $1.35 million purchase of body and in‑car cameras for police

The City of Saint Joseph approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the purchase of 125 body cameras and 100 in‑car cameras for the police department from Utility Associates Inc., for a total contract value not to exceed $1,350,000 payable over five years. The ordinance authorizes an initial FY23‑24 cost of $540,000.

City staff introduced the emergency ordinance during the meeting; council members cast their votes and recorded 9 ayes. The ordinance passed as an emergency measure, allowing procurement to proceed without the standard waiting period associated with first and second readings.

Council did not record extended debate in the transcript; staff listed the appropriation and payment schedule in the ordinance language read into the record. The item was presented as an amendment to the General Fund Police Department budget.

The council’s approval authorizes staff to execute the procurement and begin implementing the purchase and payment schedule as described in the ordinance.