Wilmington committee moves 5-year Axon contract for body cameras and tasers to full council

Wilmington’s Public Safety Committee voted June 9 to send an ordinance to the full City Council that would authorize a five-year contract between the city and Axon Enterprise Inc. to provide body‑worn cameras and taser (conducted energy) equipment for the police department.

The ordinance, presented at the committee meeting, would consolidate previously separate contracts and begins July 1, 2025. City staff told the committee the first‑year cost is budgeted at $573,000 in the city’s approved FY 2026 operating budget; years two through five are estimated at $1,645,000 per year. The presenter said consolidating the agreements and locking a five‑year rate will produce substantial savings compared with one‑year contracts.

“By consolidating these contracts and entering into a fresh five‑year agreement for both pieces of equipment together, we'll save a little over $10,000,000 over the list price,” the staff presenter said. Committee members asked for and received confirmation that the first‑year cost is included in FY‑26 appropriations.

Committee chair Councilmember Yolanda McCoy called for a motion to move the ordinance to the full council; the item was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote and will be considered by the full Wilmington City Council on June 18.

The committee’s action is a referral to the full council for final approval; no final purchase contract was executed at the committee meeting.

Questions from council focused on fiscal impact and contract term. The committee did not solicit public comment on the ordinance during the meeting.

If approved by the full council, the consolidated agreement would replace two separately expiring contracts (one expiring October 2025 and the other June 2026) and provide the police department with a single vendor arrangement for both body cameras and taser devices.