Southlake City Council approved a $1.9 million operating budget for the city’s Crime Control and Prevention District for fiscal year 2019-20 at its Sept. 3 meeting. A crime control and prevention district implements programs designed to reduce and prevent crime. Money to support the district comes from a 1/8 cent sales tax, according to the city’s website. The budget will allow for the continuation of Town Square security efforts and the school resource officer program, according to meeting documents. The program is a partnership with Carroll ISD, and officers work with students, teachers and staff to improve safety and security on campus, according to the city’s website. Funding will also cover including software replacement, new body cameras, audio and visual equipment upgrades, equipment replacement and a new data system, according to meeting documents. City Council also approved allocating $400,000 in initial funds for moving the city’s emergency operations center to the first floor of the Department of Public Safety Headquarters, according to meeting documents. This project will extend into 2021 and be part of the multiyear capital improvement plan. Total costs will amount to nearly $1.4 million. Also at the meeting, two public hearings were held to discuss the city's overall proposed $104.8 million budget and $0.41 per $100 valuation tax rate. After a budget presentation, Mayor Laura Hill asked city staff to explore the budgetary implications of hiring an additional full-time employee to work at the city’s senior center to account for growth. No resident spoke at the public hearing to give input, and City Council approved a first reading of both the proposed tax rate and budget with a 7-0 vote. A second public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17. A draft of the considered budget can be found here.