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Council clears first reading to buy Skydio X10 drone for police using Equitable Sharing funds
Summary
Council approved first reading to appropriate $58,423.40 from the Equitable Sharing Fund to buy a Skydio X10 drone (Axon) for the police department; council members described features and linkage to city camera system.
KIRKWOOD, Mo. — The City Council approved first reading of an appropriation to buy a Skydio X10 drone for the Kirkwood Police Department, using $58,423.40 from the department’s Equitable Sharing Fund balance.
Bill 11085 authorizes a single‑source purchase from Axon for the Skydio X10 drone and directs the director of procurement to issue a purchase order. Councilmembers said the purchase uses seized‑asset funds and does not affect the general fund budget.
“...this new drone doesn’t cost us a dime. We’re just appropriating money from drug money that we got in the police department,” said Councilmember Schaeffer, who described seeing a product demonstration. He told the council the drone can integrate with the city’s Flock camera network, track a camera alert and follow a subject up to four miles without manual control.
Council discussion emphasized officer safety and operational uses such as incident monitoring and storm response. The item passed first reading by unanimous roll call; the council did not record amendments. The appropriation and purchase will return for second reading under the council’s ordinance schedule.
