The Magnolia City Council on Nov. 10 approved a 10-year contract with Axon Enterprises Inc., which supplies Magnolia Police’s body cameras, tasers and evidence software.
The discussion
Magnolia Police Chief Kyle Montgomery said Axon’s software and technology were critical to the department's operations and efficiency, especially cutting down the time staff spend handling evidence.
Axon supplies the city’s body cameras, in-car cameras, tasers, cloud storage and evidence software.
Montgomery said the redaction software from Axon was a huge time saver. Hours spent reviewing body camera footage to make necessary redactions, such as faces or license plates, are cut down to minutes with the software.
“At the end of the day … it’s hard for me to make you fully understand the value it has for us,” Montgomery said. “This has been a huge factor in efficiency for us.”
The city will spend $205,000 annually for Axon’s software, cameras and tasers.
Agreeing to a 10-year deal presented estimated cost savings of $305,164 over 10 years compared to two five-year contracts, according to a presentation.
The contract includes an opt-out after five years, Montgomery said. Axon will provide new camera hardware every two and a half years and new tasers every five years.
Magnolia has 22 sworn police officers, according to the city’s website.
Also on the agenda
The City Council approved rezoning 60 acres of land at the northeast corner of Mill Creek Road and FM 1488 from rural to semi-urban residential. The move makes way for the Pinemoor single-family community development. The development will have 216 single-family homes.
Magnolia is moving $271,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from rehabbing two of the city’s water plants to payroll and salaries for the public works department. City Engineer Chris Bogert said Magnolia must use the ARPA funds by the end of the year. Bogert said the city's wells are pumping 16 hours a day and the city did not feel comfortable taking down a well for rehabilitation at this time. “We just want to make sure we do not have an issue with water supply,” Bogert said.
Magnolia lost its recently hired city secretary, Tiffany White, in October. The position is open again for applications.
The city contracted Becky Roseberry to act as the city’s finance manager. City Administrator Bob Harvey said Roseberry has “a tremendous background” working for cities and school districts and will be able to evaluate and give guidance on the city’s financial reports and structure.
