Kentucky city council votes to not renew Flock camera contracts

MOREHEAD, Ky. (WKYT) - The Morehead City Council voted Tuesday to not renew the two contracts for its Flock license plate reader cameras and wants to take a closer look at how the city uses the technology.

The vote came after a council member-elect raised concerns about the cameras and asked for a public forum.

Morehead’s city attorney said that the police department’s policies were updated when a new Kentucky law took effect in July.

Ending the two contracts, which expire in June 2027 and January 2028, respectively, would cost the city $35,000.

Under the agreements, the city is also responsible for replacing damaged cameras even if they are no longer in use, which could cost up to $3,000 per camera.

Six of the city’s eight Flock cameras were destroyed by vandals in September.

RELATED COVERAGE: Morehead left without working Flock cameras after vandalism

The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office ruled Monday that an October meeting in which the city council discussed the Flock cameras violated commonwealth open meeting laws because the public was not given sufficient notice that the matter would be discussed.