Yes, the storage cost itself doesn't seem to be the limiting factor. Presumably the body cam provider makes you use their storage which is jacked up in price but it seems you could find some middle ground (say, six months storage for most cops, some high risk roles get 12 months). And this provider storage would presumably come with the privacy and access requirements baked in.

I'm thinking this article is a softening the blow press release. They are announcing they are looking at it while already having decided they will do it, to get people used to the idea. Then later they will announce they are doing it in some future date, then finally turn them on.

Alternatively, they are signalling to providers they want cheaper rates for storage. Complaining publicly about the cost as a negotiation tactic.