Committee backs $310,000 for digital forensics equipment and $320,000 command-bus retrofit for police

The committee approved two public‑safety purchases on March 23: digital forensic equipment for the Division of Police and a retrofit for the department's command bus.

The Director of Public Safety told members the police forensics unit previously relied on federal partners for certain examinations; the federal partners no longer provide that service, so the city vetted replacement equipment and estimates a purchase cost of about $310,000. "The equipment was used initially by federal partners. Our federal partners no longer provide the service," the director said, explaining the department vetted options with ITS and identified equipment and vendor options.

Council members pressed for funding details. The director said $255,000 will be funded from a capital project and the balance charged to the police general fund; staff agreed to clarify bond‑fund line items and to amend language so the ordinance references a "not to exceed $310,000" amount and to remove unnecessary bond references. Councilman Charles Life moved technical amendments clarifying funding accounts and the "not to exceed" language; the committee approved the amendments and then approved the ordinance as amended.

Separately, the committee approved ordinance 1455‑2025 to upgrade a Division of Police command bus, with an estimated cost of $320,000. The director noted the vehicle has more than 22,000 miles. Council members expressed support and no additional questions were raised.

Both ordinances were approved as amended; no roll‑call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript.