The value of police body cameras and patrol vehicle cameras in use in the city was presented to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night during their December meeting. The city is one of 35 cities in Texas that have the equipment in use for all officers and vehicles. The body camera is always running according to Police Chief Jay Sanders and the video covers a 180-degree range around the officer. Video from the cameras are stored in a cloud-storage for 120 days before it goes away.
Council approved a bid from Texas Country Ford of Winnsboro for vehicles following a lengthy discussion and parliamentary moves. Some members of the council contended that a Sulphur Springs dealership should be awarded the bid to keep the money spent in the local city economy.
In other action, the council heard that sales tax for the city is up 11.4% over the previous year. The city manager also reported to the council regarding current work in the city (See report here).
Property at the Municipal Airport will be rezoned to light industrial. The rezone will place all property owned by the city at the airport under the same zoning. The rezoning will allow for aviation-industrial development at the site.
Also following a lively discussion, the council voted to enter a sublease agreement with the Economic Development Corporation for lease/purchase of a 100’ x 100’ hanger at the airport.
The city approved a 20-year franchise agreement with ONCOR. The agreement memorializes the process that has been followed for the past five to six years without a formal agreement.
Oncor rates will see a two-year increase of 6-cents per month for city residents and 99-cents for all but one commercial business to fund the underground electrical lines under Tomlinson Street.
The city council is also seeking a policy for rental of the city council chambers and conference room.
All other items on the agenda were passed by the council.
