The City Council approved the purchase of an electronic keyless entry and identification system for town hall by authorizing up to $40,000 in combined spending, to be paid largely from the municipal court security fund and partly from police seizure funds.

Councilors discussed whether the court security fund is the appropriate source, whether restricted funds could be used instead for recurring personnel costs, and the technical risks of electronic locks during power outages before the final vote.

The city presented supplemental documentation showing the court security fund (fund 120) holds a fund balance of roughly $50,000 and typically receives about $11,000–$19,000 annually from court receipts. Staff recommended using up to $30,000 from that fund and covering the balance with seizure funds. Council asked how the system would operate during power outages; staff and vendors explained most systems include battery backup and that strike locks have different power characteristics than maglocks. Councilor discussion also noted that court security funds are generally intended for one‑time security purchases rather than ongoing personnel costs.

Councilman (motion) moved to approve the purchase: "I would move to approve up to $40,000 from the court security fund and the seizure fund for, electric electronic locking and identification card system," and a second was recorded. The motion passed by voice vote with councilors answering "Aye." The authorization specified a target of $30,000 from the municipal court security fund and up to $10,000 from seizure funds; the contract amount presented in backup materials was about $37,930 before the buffer.

Staff said the system would cover doors in the building and gated police access and that the court fund would not be charged for items seizure funds were directed to cover. The council directed staff to confirm technical details (maglock vs. strike lock, battery backup and manual key options) during procurement.