On Sept. 10, the Conroe City Council adopted a nearly $390 million operating budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The budget, which projects $374.6 million in revenue and $389.9 million in expenditures, was approved by a 4‑2 vote. Council members John Sellars, Kristin Hoisington and Ken Blevins voted in favor alongside Mayor Duke Coon, while David Hairel and Shana Arthur opposed the measure.
Police compensation enhancements
The budget allocates roughly $2.87 million for salary increases for police civil‑service employees, aiming to bring local pay closer to that of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and neighboring agencies. Annual raises include:
- $13,137 for police officers
- $16,711 for sergeants
- $17,500 for lieutenants
- $31,458 for captains
- $32,000 for the police chief and deputy chiefs
In addition, about $1.1 million is earmarked for the department’s step‑pay program, and $1.7 million is set aside for a 3.5 % salary increase for other city employees, including firefighters.
Flock Safety camera program
The operating budget also contains $130,000 to continue funding the city’s Flock Safety license‑plate reader system. The technology captures license plates and allows officers to search vehicle information during investigations. Police Chief Jon Buckholtz defended the program, noting that it has been in use for about seven years and that the city began its current five‑year agreement on Sept. 11, 2024. He reported that the cameras recorded nearly 894,000 unique license plates in the prior 30 days, with officers conducting 642 searches.
Councilmember David Hairel requested a pause on the funding to review the program’s policies and constitutional implications, emphasizing privacy concerns. Councilmember Shana Arthur echoed those concerns, questioning the impact on residents’ civil liberties. Despite the objections, the council did not hold a separate vote on the cameras, and the funding remained in place as part of the overall budget approval.
Tax rate and capital improvements
Conroe kept its property tax rate steady at $0.4272 per $100 of valuation. The estimated tax bill for a median‑value homestead is about $991, a slight decrease from the previous year’s $994.
Separately, the council adopted a $184.3 million capital improvement budget to fund infrastructure and facility projects for the upcoming fiscal year.
Council perspectives
Mayor Duke Coon stressed the urgency of addressing police compensation, stating, “It’s time we stand up and address this head‑on.” Councilmember Hairel highlighted payroll data showing that 147 police employees received W‑2s in 2025, with 93 earning at least $90,000 and 72 earning at least $100,000.
While the budget’s police pay raises and continued investment in public‑safety technology reflect the city’s commitment to supporting its officers, the debate over privacy and constitutional considerations underscores the council’s responsibility to balance safety with civil liberties.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
