Columbia Mayor: City will not renew Flock contract when it expires in March
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe shared on Monday night that the City of Columbia will let its agreement with Flock expire in March.
The council put a motion forward on Monday night on whether or not its contracts with Flock Safety will be automatically renewed or not.
The measure was passed 5-2 with Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample and Ward 6 Councilwoman Betsy Peters making up the “no” votes. The vote during the meeting was said to have been for whether or not the council will opt to stop the automatic renewal of the contract.
“After a two hour Public Hearing tonight, Council voted not to renew our Flock Safety contract when it expires in 2027,” Buffaloe wrote after the meeting on her social media. “I strongly support technology for public safety, but recent red flags and concerns over Flock’s long-term viability mean we need a more reliable partner.”
City spokesman Christopher Ave additionally clarified to ABC 17 News that the city will not renew its contract with Flock.
The council voted on the measure after a roughly four-hour public hearing was held on the use of the technology. Several dozen residents spoke during the meeting, with the majority speaking out against Flock’s use.
The city clarified during the session that it has three active contracts with Flock across its departments, two of which are set to expire in March and another with the Utility Department is set to expire in September 2027.
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