Title
Authorize the County Purchasing Agent or designee to negotiate and to execute a non-standard agreement with Flock Group Inc., dba Flock Safety, for the subscription service of 103 Flock cameras (License Plate Readers) in an amount of $2,781,000 for the period of September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2036. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Authorize the County Purchasing Agent or designee to negotiate and to execute a non-standard agreement with Flock Group Inc., dba Flock Safety, for the subscription service of 103 Flock cameras (License Plate Readers) in an amount of $2,781,000 for the period of September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2036. (REVISED VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
SUMMARY:
The Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of three (3) Flock Safety cameras on November 23, 2023, and an additional sixty (60) Flock Safety cameras on June 4, 2024. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is now requesting approval of a Non-Standard Agreement with Flock Safety that consolidates the existing sixty-three (63) cameras under one agreement and adds forty (40) additional cameras, for a total of one hundred three (103) cameras.
Of the existing sixty-three (63) cameras, three (3) are located at the Government Center and are funded by the County Administrative Office Risk Management Department.
The Sheriff’s Office’s previous agreement with Flock Safety expired on July 25, 2026. To ensure continuity of service and avoid disruption to existing camera operations, Flock Safety has continued providing services to the Sheriff’s Office while the new agreement was being developed and finalized for presentation to the Board of Supervisors for review and consideration.
DISCUSSION:
Communities throughout the County of Monterey and across the nation have found that strategically deployed technology-enabled investigative tools can provide law enforcement with valuable information in support of criminal investigations and public safety efforts. These tools assist law enforcement in identifying and locating vehicles associated with criminal activity, developing investigative leads, and supporting the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of offenders.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office currently utilizes Flock Safety’s automated investigative technology as part of a broader Flock Safety investigative network operating throughout Monterey County. Flock Safety technology or other forms of technology-enabled investigative tools are utilized in multiple jurisdictions and areas throughout the County, including the Government Center, King City, Greenfield, Soledad, Salinas, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Carmel, areas under the jurisdiction of California State Parks, areas served by the California Highway Patrol, and other locations. The participation of multiple law enforcement jurisdictions contributes to a broader regional investigative network and enhances the value of the technology as an investigative resource.
The existing Flock Safety investigative network has proven valuable in supporting local criminal investigations by providing timely and actionable information that can assist investigators in identifying vehicles of interest, developing investigative leads, locating individuals or vehicles associated with criminal activity, and advancing investigations. The value of the technology extends beyond the location of any individual Flock Safety unit because a broader network can provide investigators with information useful in identifying vehicle movements across jurisdictional boundaries.
The Flock Safety system also serves as a force multiplier for law enforcement personnel. The automated investigative technology operates continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing an additional investigative resource while allowing Sheriff’s Office personnel to remain available to perform other essential public safety duties. The technology provides operational efficiencies by collecting potentially relevant vehicle information at multiple locations without requiring the continuous physical presence of law enforcement personnel.
The proposed agreement will consolidate the Sheriff’s Office’s existing Flock Safety investigative network and add forty (40) additional units. The additional units will enhance geographic coverage throughout unincorporated Monterey County and provide the Sheriff’s Office greater flexibility to strategically deploy this investigative technology in areas where it can provide the greatest public safety and investigative benefit without sacrificing existing coverage in other areas. All installation services are included in the agreement and will be provided by Flock Group Inc., dba Flock Safety.
The Sheriff’s Office’s previous agreement with Flock Safety expired on July 25, 2026. To maintain continuity of service and prevent disruption to the existing investigative network, Flock Safety has continued providing services to the Sheriff’s Office while the proposed agreement was developed and finalized for presentation to the Board of Supervisors for its review and consideration.
During development of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Recommended Budget, the Sheriff’s Office did not include funding for continuation of the Flock Safety agreement within its baseline budget. The Sheriff’s Office subsequently requested augmentation funding to continue the service; however, the requested augmentation funding was not approved.
Without an alternative funding arrangement or a new agreement, the Sheriff’s Office faced the potential loss of access to this established and valuable investigative network. Following concerns regarding the potential discontinuation of the service, members of the community contacted the Sheriff’s Office to express support for continued access to the Flock Safety investigative technology and the public safety and investigative benefits it provides. This community feedback, together with the demonstrated operational and investigative value of the network, further supports the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts to identify a means of continuing the program.
To facilitate continuation of the program despite the absence of approved FY 2026-27 augmentation funding, Flock Safety has proposed a ten (10)-year agreement with a total County cost not to exceed $2,781,000. Under the proposed agreement, Flock Safety will provide the first year of services, corresponding with FY 2026-27, at no cost to the County of Monterey. Beginning in year two (2), the County will pay $309,000 annually for years two (2) through ten (10), resulting in a total County obligation of $2,781,000 over the ten-year agreement.
In addition to providing the first year of service at no cost to the County, Flock Safety is providing additional discounts, products, and services over the term of the proposed agreement. These include Flock Safety Platform add-ons valued at approximately $409,000; Flock Safety add-ons valued at approximately $262,500, including complimentary access to Enhanced LPR and FreeForm for the first five (5) years following deployment; and Flock Safety Professional Services valued at approximately $40,000. Collectively, these items represent approximately $711,500 in additional discounts and services, exclusive of the value of the first year of service being provided at no cost to the County.
The proposed long-term agreement provides continuity of an established investigative resource, predictable annual costs beginning in FY 2027-28, expanded geographic coverage, and access to additional technology and professional services. Importantly, the proposed arrangement also addresses the immediate FY 2026-27 funding constraint by allowing the Sheriff’s Office to continue utilizing the investigative network during FY 2026-27 without a County expenditure for that year.
Flock Safety has also addressed internal security and data-management measures intended to ensure that the system operates in compliance with applicable California law and County requirements. Under the proposed agreement and applicable Sheriff’s Office controls, Sheriff’s Office data will not be shared with law enforcement agencies outside the State of California or with agencies of the federal government. These safeguards are intended to maintain appropriate local control over Sheriff’s Office data and ensure that information obtained through the investigative technology is accessed, maintained, and used in accordance with applicable legal, contractual, and departmental requirements.
Approval of the proposed agreement will allow the Sheriff’s Office to maintain continuity of an established and valuable investigative resource, expand the network by forty (40) additional units to improve coverage throughout Monterey County, and continue utilizing technology that supports criminal investigations while serving as a force multiplier for Sheriff’s Office personnel. The broader presence of Flock Safety technology among law enforcement jurisdictions and public safety partners throughout Monterey County further enhances its potential value as a regional investigative resource. The proposed agreement also addresses the immediate FY 2026-27 funding constraint by providing the first year of service at no cost to the County while establishing predictable costs for the remaining years and providing substantial additional discounts and services over the term of the agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT/COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
The Office of County Counsel has reviewed and advised on this Non-standard Agreement(s) as to legal form. The Auditor-Controller has reviewed the contract but does not agree to the non-standard payment provisions.
FINANCING:
There is no cost to the County for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27. Beginning in FY 2027-28, the annual cost of the agreement will be included in the Sheriff’s Office budget, with $9,000 annually funded by the County Administrative Office’s Risk Management Department for the Flock Safety investigative units located at the Government Center.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS:
The proposed recommended actions demonstrate the County’s commitment by increasing public safety in the County of Monterey.
__Well-Being and Quality of Life
__Sustainable Infrastructure for the Present and Future
X Safe and Resilient Communities
__Diverse and Thriving Economy
__Dynamic Organization and Employer of Choice
Prepared by: Arthur Curtright, Management Analyst III, Extension #3708
Reviewed by: Keith Boyd, Undersheriff, Extension #3859
Approved by: Tina Nieto, Sheriff/Coroner, Extension #3750
Attachments:
Flock Group Inc., dba Flock Safety Non-Standard Agreement