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Wilmington Council OKs $7.1 million Axon contract for body cameras, tasers and services
Summary
City council voted to authorize a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. to provide body-worn cameras, tasers and related services for the Wilmington Police Department with an estimated total price of $7,133,355.93 over five years.
Wilmington City Council voted to approve a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. to supply body-worn cameras, tasers and related services for the Wilmington Police Department, with an estimated total price of $7,133,355.93 to be paid over the contract term.
The council adopted the ordinance after a presentation that said the purchase would consolidate devices and software onto a single vendor platform to improve compatibility and reduce long-term costs. “This ordinance authorized the city to execute an agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc to purchase body cameras, tasers, and related services for the Wilmington Police Department for a period of 5 years commencing on 07/01/2025,” a staff member told council members, and reported a total estimate of $7,133,355.93.
Council members asked how funds were allocated and what accounted for the cost. Councilman Owens asked whether the majority of the $7.1 million was for cloud storage; a staff reply said storage and platform licensing were a substantial portion of the cost and that consolidating vendors should save money over the five years. Council member Johnson said he would be a cosponsor and noted the value of body cameras in reducing litigation risk.
The ordinance was adopted by a recorded vote: eight ayes, five absent. The ordinance sponsor said the police department has budgeted sufficient funds in its fiscal 2026 operating budget for the first year and that future years would be covered in subsequent budgets.
The council did not provide a detailed line-item breakdown of the $7.1 million during the meeting; the presenter said earlier savings estimates exist but did not state the exact amount during the floor discussion. The motion carried and the contract will proceed to execution under the terms described.
Council action: the ordinance to approve the Axon agreement was adopted; implementation details, including deployment schedule, ongoing costs and the exact expected savings, were not finalized on the council floor.
