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IT upgrades and police equipment, including beyond‑line‑of‑sight drones, featured in 2026 CIP presentation
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Summary
IT staff proposed $150,000 for data backup hardware and $350,000 for fiber laterals; police outlined upgrades from radios to K‑9 replacement and reported FAA approval for beyond‑line‑of‑sight drone operations and five licensed pilots, citing a recent successful rescue during tests.
HILLIARD — Committee members heard a consolidated IT and public safety presentation that covered lifecycle IT purchases, police technology upgrades and operational tools including drones and cyber‑forensics equipment.
IT staff said the 2026 IT capital budget includes $150,000 for additional data backup capacity, $150,000–$250,000 for ongoing lease/backstop support (CLLAPS) and $350,000 for fiber laterals and continued connectivity for city infrastructure. On a question about a police data center power improvement, staff described UPS circuit issues and plans to separate sensitive hardware from general office circuits to prevent equipment failures triggered by office appliances.
Police staff described capital needs that include a second installment for a safety services building renovation; a standby budget to replace a K‑9 if needed; a phased radio replacement on a five‑year plan; protective vests on a five‑year replacement cycle; weapons and taser refresh; and replacement of three marked police cruisers and two unmarked cars.
On drones, IT/police staff said CityLab secured FAA approval to operate drones beyond visual line of sight. Staff reported five licensed police pilots and described a recent test that diverted a drone to locate a person having a medical emergency, which allowed EMS to reach the person more quickly.
Staff said some internship and CityLab program expenses have been funded from IT lines but that other internship grants are better housed in Meadow's economic development budget. No formal procurement decisions were made in the Committee of the Whole; staff noted many purchases follow multi‑year replacement cycles and will return as procurement items.
