Mason approves five-year Axon contract to add body-worn cameras; city expects 2026 implementation

Mason City Council on Sept. 2 approved Ordinance 2025-72 authorizing a five-year contract with Axon to expand the police department’s camera systems to include body-worn cameras and continued maintenance for in-car and interview-room cameras.

City staff described the measure as Phase 3 of a multi-year program. Phase 1 authorized in-car cameras in 2022, Phase 2 added interview-room upgrades in 2023, and the current ordinance adds body-worn cameras and consolidates annual maintenance under Axon. Staff said the Axon platform integrates with existing equipment and stores video off-site, removing the need for additional city server infrastructure.

The ordinance authorizes implementation and an ongoing service contract; the 2025 budget includes $615,000 for the project and the staff report states an annual service and maintenance cost of $191,504. Staff estimated a six- to eight-month lead time for equipment delivery and installation and said full implementation is expected in 2026.

Council moved to suspend the rules and adopted the ordinance the same night. The measure passed on a recorded voice/roll-call sequence with councilmembers indicating support (no opposition recorded in the transcript). City staff noted the state of Ohio has not mandated body-worn cameras but that more than half of smaller agencies and most large agencies already use them; staff listed accountability, evidence collection, transparency and training as expected benefits.

No new ongoing staffing assignments were specified in the ordinance; staff indicated training and phased deployment will follow once equipment delivery and configuration are complete.