Bastrop City Council Workshop - August 25, 2026

The Bastrop City Council Workshop held on August 25, 2026, focused primarily on the city's fiscal year 2026-2027 budget and tax rate, the policy and use of Flock surveillance cameras by the police department, and proposed amendments to the development code related to data centers. The council approved the proposed tax rate at the no new revenue rate of 0.5118, which will result in a net decrease in property taxes for residents while maintaining a budget surplus and funding for services including street maintenance and additional police personnel. The police department provided an overview of the Flock camera program, including costs, usage, auditing procedures, and community transparency efforts, with council members requesting further data on the effectiveness of the cameras in aiding arrests. The discussion also addressed public concerns about privacy and surveillance. Lastly, the council discussed zoning amendments to regulate data centers as critical infrastructure, aiming to define and control their development within city limits. Public comments reflected concerns about government surveillance and privacy. No new contracts or procurement awards were reported during this meeting.