After heated debate, Kyle council asks staff to draft May ballot options on license‑plate reader policy

Councilmembers engaged in an extended, often heated debate over the city’s contracts for Flock automatic license‑plate readers and associated equipment. Council member Zapata moved to cancel the 2024–25 Flock contracts citing statewide data‑security concerns and recent local decisions by other jurisdictions; that motion failed on a 6–1 roll call.

Police Chief Jeff Barnett described safeguards in the department’s use of the LPR system: limitation of searches to lawful purposes, a required case number and monthly audits by a designated commander. Chief Barnett said the department has received zero complaints of misuse and described several cases where LPR hits helped locate stolen vehicles, missing persons and suspects. Staff and the governor's office also provided preliminary guidance that grant reimbursements may be restricted to non‑LPR equipment; the grant authority (MVCPA) said it expects to process reimbursements for drones and live‑view cameras but was uncertain about LPR reimbursement for future years.

Rather than canceling contracts immediately, the council voted unanimously to ask staff to return proposed ballot language and options for the May election that would let voters weigh in on LPR policies; the city attorney noted nonbinding referenda require a six‑vote threshold to ask staff to place language on the ballot for council consideration. The motion to have staff bring options passed 7–0.