Council approves $100,000 for police vehicles, considers additional capital: radios, software and drones

The Ferguson City Council voted June 3 to add $100,000 to the capital budget for two new police vehicles and discussed multiple additional department capital requests, including radio infrastructure, software for internal affairs, and drone leasing.

Vehicle allocation and vote: Council voted unanimously to appropriate $100,000 from capital to purchase two additional patrol vehicles; city staff said that a pending state grant could offset two of the city’s vehicle costs if it is finalized. The council and staff noted recent crash losses and lease arrangements for some fleet vehicles, and staff said the department still needs additional units beyond those funded in emergency appropriations earlier in the fiscal year.

Radios and repeater: Police leaders explained that the department’s in-building radio coverage at the station is insufficient and asked for a rooftop repeater to restore reliable in-station communications. Staff identified a one-time cost of about $26,000 to install a repeater on the police department building; council members asked that item be added to the capital list pending finalization.

Frontline software and Axon payments: The police chief described a suite of equipment and services in the department’s planned capital and operating budgets. The department recently moved to a consolidated Axon contract (body cameras, in-car cameras, Taser devices, training modules and related services), which combined previously separate payments into a larger single annual charge. The council heard a staff request for $32,000 annually to license Frontline software that centralizes training, internal affairs, office of wellness and policy records. Staff said the Frontline software would shift manual filing to a single digital system for recordkeeping and compliance.

Weapons, tasers and replacement parts: Council and police discussed an equipment-replacement cycle for duty firearms and rifles. The department said current service pistols will soon be obsolete — parts manufacture will end — and recommended replacing weapons on a planned schedule to avoid maintenance and parts shortages. The chief described a buyback option the vendor offered for older weapons, which could reduce net replacement costs.

Drones and Paladin lease: The police chief described a Paladin drone lease and ongoing maintenance arrangement with an annualized cost the department reported at about $49,000–$52,000 to keep a replacement/lease program and preprogrammed flight capability; the chief said the lease includes replacement, batteries and remote operation. The council and staff discussed the number of trained operators and the plan to rely on police and fire personnel for drone operations.

Council direction and funding notes: Staff said several police items will be covered partly by prior emergency appropriations (five vehicles) and by expected state grant dollars if they arrive. Council members asked staff to identify final costs and grant offsets and to return with a consolidated capital recommendation. Council approved the $100,000 vehicle appropriation by roll call; other items were discussed and scheduled for ordinance or budget amendment as needed.

Ending: Staff will finalize costs, check grant award status, and return specific ordinance language and equipment contracts for council approval before additional appropriations are made.