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Board sets public hearing May 20 on Sheriff's Office drone use and policy
Summary
Commissioners set a May 20 public hearing on the sheriff’s office plan to purchase and use a drone; sheriff’s office staff say the drone is intended for search-and-rescue and will be governed by a written policy.
The Wabasha County Board voted to set a public hearing for May 20 on the sheriff’s office acquisition and use of a drone funded by charitable gambling proceeds.
Rodney Bartsch of the sheriff’s office told the board the drone is planned primarily for search-and-rescue and to support fire departments; he said the office has prepared a written policy (based on other counties’ models) that will be provided to the board before the hearing. Bartsch said the purchase might be delayed by recent tariff-driven price increases on drone imports, but he asked the board to schedule the required public hearing in advance of the procurement decision.
A motion to set the public hearing for May 20 at 9:15 a.m. carried by voice vote. Bartsch said the policy is completed and the hearing will provide public opportunity for questions and concerns, noting the office’s intended non-surveillance uses.
