City Commission Special Meeting 09-23-2026 @ 5:00PM - City of Texas City

The City of Texas City held a special City Commission meeting on September 23, 2026, primarily addressing the approval of a memorandum of understanding for lateral entry police officers and the adoption of the 2026 ad valorem tax rate. The commission approved a new MOU to allow lateral hires into the police department at a higher salary scale to attract experienced officers, with a budgetary impact potentially reaching up to $3 million if all 20 openings are filled. The tax rate was set at 0.0497231 per $100 valuation, generating approximately $35.2 million in revenue, with about $30 million allocated for maintenance and operations. Additionally, the meeting included a detailed presentation on the use, policies, and oversight of Flock Safety automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras, including their deployment, costs ($71,000 annually), data retention, audit processes, and instances of misuse. The commission and public discussed privacy concerns, data sharing with other agencies, and the benefits of the technology in solving crimes. The meeting concluded with public comments and affirmations of the city’s commitment to transparency and responsible governance.