Council hears police chief say state paused funding for license-plate camera program

Laredo Police Chief Jim Rodriguez told the council that the state has paused funding for license-plate camera programs and that the city must consider how that affects local operations and any existing contracts.

"Yes, there is a pause on on the the funding, through throughout the, state, divisions," Rodriguez said, describing a statewide pause the chief said had reached local agencies. He told the council the city's master agreement includes a non-appropriation-of-funds clause that could allow the city to alter obligations if state funding is not delivered: "We do have a non appropriation of funds clause in our master agreement...and this would allow us to...set our own ways," Rodriguez said.

Council and staff discussed the contractual language and the potential operational impact; no formal city action was taken on the camera program during the meeting. Staff said they were monitoring the situation and would assess contract obligations and operational impacts if the state pause continues.