Council votes to remove Flock Safety funding, instructs competitive review of ALPR providers

Mayor Alicia Halvinslay called the council to order and the meeting moved into a discussion of the 2027 capital-improvement plan, during which Police Chief Thompson asked the council to remove the citys Flock Safety contract from the 2027 budget and to authorize termination steps.

"I strongly support the use of ALPR technology," Police Chief Thompson said, "but I have concerns regarding certain business practices, contractual language and representations associated with our current vendor, Flock Safety." He told the council he supported keeping the capability but requested the council not appropriate funds for Flock beginning Jan. 1, 2027, permit continued operation through Dec. 31, 2026, and authorize staff, in consultation with the city attorney, to terminate the agreement and run a competitive review emphasizing transparency, data security, data ownership, audit controls and vendor accountability.

Alderperson Piper moved to amend the CIP to remove $292,000 in Flock funding, explaining the motion was intended to allow the city to evaluate alternative vendors without creating an operational gap that would jeopardize officer safety. The amendment was seconded and put to a roll-call vote; the motion passed 13-0.

Following the vote, City Attorney Ryan told the council that litigation had already been filed by opponents seeking a court ruling that a warrant is required any time Flock data is accessed; he said the city and its insurance carriers will coordinate defense. The councils action removes city-appropriated funding and directs staff to pursue a competitive replacement process while allowing the existing contract to run through the end of the year.

The council recorded no further direction on a particular replacement vendor and did not specify a timeline beyond the requirement that a transition plan be developed so the city does not lose coverage. The city attorney and police department will work with procurement and legal staff on next steps.