Bexar County commissioners recently rejected a proposal to purchase two police motorcycles, despite arguments that the vehicles would generate additional revenue through traffic enforcement. The proposal, presented by Precinct 3 Constable Mark Vojvodich, would have used $114,650 in unexpended salary funds to purchase the motorcycles and related equipment.
Revenue Generation
Vojvodich argued that the motorcycles would allow deputies to conduct traffic enforcement more efficiently, increasing the number of contacts officers make and generating additional traffic-related revenue. According to projections, a motorcycle officer averages about 2,661 contacts annually, compared to 1,625 for a deputy operating from a patrol vehicle.
The constable’s office estimated that a motorcycle unit would generate about $254,000 in traffic-related revenue during its first year, compared to roughly $155,000 for a patrol vehicle unit. Over five years, the office projected the gap would grow to roughly $1.27 million versus $776,000.
Concerns and Debate
However, County Judge Peter Sakai, Precinct 2 Commissioner Justin Rodriguez, and Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores raised concerns ranging from liability and long-term costs to whether the request should be considered as part of the county’s upcoming budget process. Sakai also rejected the idea that traffic enforcement should be viewed through a revenue lens, citing concerns about disproportionality and the burden on vulnerable populations.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert and Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody supported the proposal, arguing that county leaders should give elected law enforcement officials greater latitude to manage their own operations and consider opportunities to reduce future taxpayer costs.
The proposal failed on a 3-2 vote, with commissioners indicating they would be more comfortable considering such requests as part of the county’s broader budget process later this summer.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
