Police Chief Joe Meister briefed the council on Oct. 14 on the department’s electronic control device contract and recommended an early renewal and upgrade to the TASER 10.

Chief Meister said the department’s current devices (TASER X7 family) were purchased under a five-year contract and will be out of warranty in May 2026. He described the TASER 10’s technical differences: a cartridge capable of selecting a spread with a single fired probe, an increased maximum effective range (Chief Meister said the TASER 10’s range approaches 45 feet compared with about 25 feet for the older device) and elimination of the “drive-stun” pain-compliance mode. He said the TASER 10 package includes five instructor certifications and a virtual-reality training module.

Chief Meister presented approximate annual pricing options in the packet: an early renewal for current-style TASER 7 equipment would cost about $21,860 per year; the TASER 10 early renewal would be roughly $23,810 per year. The chief noted the contract price reflected an increase over the current annual cost and that the city’s budget process would account for the change next year.

Alderman Parrot asked about cartridge differences and training usage; Chief Meister said cartridge cost is included in the package and training cartridges are provided for instruction. Mr. Anderson asked whether the proposal included an annual escalation; the chief said the listed price is an annual amount locked in for the five-year contract and that the packaged increase is approximately 5% over current payments.

Councilors agreed to place the contract-extension/upgrade item on the regular agenda for formal consideration and noted budget planning would occur in the next fiscal cycle.