Starbase inks $3.5 million contract with Cameron County for law enforcement services

STARBASE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The city of Starbase plans to pay Cameron County about $3.5 million to provide the tiny town with eight full-time law enforcement officers.

During a meeting on Thursday night, the Starbase City Commission approved a five-year, $3.5 million contract with Cameron County for law enforcement services.

The Cameron County Sheriff’s Office plans to assign eight deputies to Starbase, according to the contract. Starbase will cover all costs — including equipment, patrol cars and benefits.

“I think this will really be a welcome addition to the city,” said City Administrator Kent Myers, who added that he’s “looking forward to meeting the new deputies and getting them started.”

Starbase is already patrolled by SpaceX security and off-duty sheriff’s deputies hired by the company.

“For right now, we just patrol the area whenever we are needed,” said Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Treviño. “Or we’re able to make it all the way out there.”

Treviño said the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t receive many calls from Starbase.

“You get those curious onlookers where the rocket is at or where the manufacturing site is at. Things like that,” Treviño said. “But for the city itself? No.”

Treviño said Cameron County plans to create eight new, contract deputy positions for Starbase.

They will not be civil service positions, Treviño said, and people hired for contract positions can’t become regular sheriff’s deputies unless they submit a separate application.

“And that’s something that the individual that’s applying — that would be his or her decision,” Treviño said. “Whether they want to apply for that or not.”

The Cameron County Commissioners Court approved the contract on Aug. 26.

Precinct 3 Commissioner David A. Garza, concerned the public hadn’t been provided with proper notice, voted against the contract.

“I think that the exhibit should have been attached so the public could have read what it had behind it,” Garza said on Aug. 26. “Therefore, I have to vote against it.”

After being assured that Cameron County had complied with the law, the remaining members of the Commissioners Court approved the contract.

Starbase agreed to pay Cameron County about $1.3 million during the first year of the contract, which covers the cost of eight sheriff’s deputies and equipment. The city would pay about $546,000 each year during the next four years.

In exchange, Cameron County promised to provide Starbase with eight dedicated sheriff’s deputies.

“Ordinarily a maximum of two deputies will patrol in the City of Starbase in one shift,” according to the contract. “The County will structure shifts and work hours to provide the best coverage and service to the City of Starbase in light of the City’s requests and the history and pattern of service calls, reports, or occurrences of crime and other law enforcement or emergency circumstances.”

The eight deputies must be “consistently assigned” to Starbase, according to the contract, and be a “regular presence” in the city.

Starbase, however, may request that Cameron County remove a deputy if the city isn’t happy with them.

“The City shall be permitted to request reassignment of any deputy or other peace officer assigned to the City of Starbase,” according to the contract.

Documents provided to the City Commission show that Starbase agreed to pay $720,000 for eight patrol cars, $16,000 for 16 firearms and $6,400 for uniforms.

Starbase also promised to make “reasonable efforts” to provide deputies with “at least part-time office space.”

The contract is scheduled to start on Oct. 1 and stop on Sept. 30, 2030. If the city or the county wants to withdraw from the contract, they must provide 90 days notice.

“Moreover, if the Termination is resultant of the City creating its own police department,” according to the contract, “the City agrees that it will prioritize the hiring of the law enforcement officers assigned by the County to the City.”

Cameron County also plans to provide Starbase with jail services. The City Commission is scheduled to review that contract on Sept. 17.