Yuba City Council approves COPS grant spending for drug‑testing, drones and patrol equipment

YUBA CITY — The council adopted a resolution authorizing receipt, allocation and expenditure of FY 2024–25 Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) grant funds to buy equipment and training aids for the police department.

Interim Police Chief Runyon outlined recommended expenditures and said the department has approximately $150,000 annually in COPS funding and may bank unspent funds. Chief Runyon described planned purchases including a TrueNarc drug‑testing unit that identifies drugs without handling them, upgraded drone cameras and night imaging, a tactical combat casualty care bleeding simulator, additional tourniquets, six patrol rifles, Motorola dual‑band radios to align with state systems, custom ear‑mold headsets for dispatch and a security‑camera display for records. Chief Runyon said the fiscal impact of the recommended package is roughly $167,000 and that the request includes a 10% contingency because formal bids have not yet been solicited.

Staff recommended a resolution authorizing receipt, allocation and expenditure of the grant, and authorizing the city’s chief financial officer to make budget adjustments as necessary. No members of the public spoke at the public hearing. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.