The Park City council on Dec. 16 authorized the mayor to execute a five‑year contract with Skydio for a patrol drone system and associated services at a total cost of $78,712.

Police leadership told the council the Skydio X10 platform meets recent Kansas restrictions on allowable manufacturers and would improve the department's response for search‑and‑rescue, missing persons, high‑risk calls and tactical situations. "This equipment will significantly enhance our ability to respond to critical incidents, improve officer and public safety, and modernize our investigative and operational capabilities," the chief said in presenting the request.

Staff said the department previously owned a DJI drone purchased about seven years ago but no longer uses it because batteries no longer hold a charge. The recommended five‑year contract includes hardware, controller, the Skydio software package, a Skydio Care program that covers one drone loss per year for the first three years (subject to a deductible), and cloud data storage. The vendor also includes a refresh after year three. The chief told the council the department currently has five FAA‑licensed drone operators and that Skydio is used by neighboring agencies, which improves interoperability.

On funding, staff proposed applying $35,000 from a 2025 police budget surplus and financing the remaining cost through four annual payments of $10,928 beginning in 2026; the contract includes a non‑appropriation clause, allowing future councils not to fund later payments. The chief noted vendor guidance that prices may increase 35–60% in the near term and recommended locking in pricing now.

Councilors asked about the drone's size, wind and rain performance, night capability (thermal camera), pilot training and operational availability. The chief said Skydio units are relatively wind resistant, can operate in light rain, and have thermal imaging and advanced obstacle avoidance. He said the system vendor will provide system‑specific training but FAA pilot licensing is the department's responsibility.

The council voted 7‑0 to authorize the mayor to sign the contract. The contract will be paid from the police department budget with the initial $35,000 already in the 2025 budget; later annual payments will be proposed in future budgets subject to appropriation.

Next steps: the mayor will execute the contract and staff will schedule system training and budget the remaining payments in future fiscal years.