Commissioners approve block vote that included $921,310 county contract for police drones
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Summary
The board included a walk-on resolution awarding a $921,310.86 cooperative‑purchase contract for drones and accessories to CDW Government Inc. in a block vote; a public question clarified procurement method and intended user.
The Camden County Board of Commissioners placed a walk‑on resolution on the meeting agenda to authorize award of contract bid ESCNJ/AEPA22G between the county and CDW Government Inc. for purchase of drones and accessories in the amount of $921,310.86. The resolution was opened for public comment and later approved as part of a block vote covering resolutions 1 through 92 plus the walk‑on.
During the public question period, Cherry Hill resident Susan Druckenbrodt asked whether educational funds were being used to buy the drones. County officials clarified the purchase uses the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey cooperative pricing system as the procurement vehicle; the county said the drones are being purchased for the Camden County Metro Police Department, and that using the cooperative contract allowed the county to avoid a separate competitive bid because competitive bidding previously produced no acceptable offers and cooperative pricing was a lower cost option.
The board proceeded to vote on resolutions 1–92 and the walk‑on by roll call. The motion to approve the block passed; several commissioners recorded routine abstentions on specific numbered items in the package (detailed in actions). Resolution 93 received no motion and did not pass.
What the vote means: The drone contract was adopted as part of the unanimous‑consent block; procurement was handled via an ESCNJ cooperative pricing contract rather than a county competitive bid process in this instance.
