Bristol council approves Axon contract for tasers and body cameras and authorizes lease financing for equipment

Bristol City Council voted Feb. 10 to approve a procurement contract with Axon Enterprise Incorporated for tasers and body-worn cameras and separately adopted a resolution authorizing lease-purchase financing for certain city equipment.

Staff said the Axon contract guarantees the quoted price for new tasers and body cameras and "does not obligate or impact any funds during the FY '26 budget year." The contract is estimated to start Sept. 1, 2026, and would use FY2027 funds; staff said it replaces a contract expiring in FY27. During discussion council members emphasized the safety and accountability functions of body cameras and tasers as law-enforcement tools.

On the lease-purchase resolution, staff explained a prior award to Cogent Bank for a fire truck included language allowing the city to negotiate additional financing items with Cogent for three years; the resolution authorizes using Cogent Bank for lease-purchase financing of items such as golf carts. Council member Farnham moved approval of the resolution and the motion passed by roll call.

Council members asked about the payment schedule for the Axon contract. Staff described the structure as "back-loaded" to reduce the immediate budget hit: the packet shows a first-year payment listed as $126,000 and higher amounts in subsequent years (the transcript recorded follow-on numbers as "$2.38" and "$2.49" without explicit units). The staff presentation noted that, while costly, the equipment has consumable components and periodic replacement needs.

Both the Axon contract and the lease-purchase resolution were approved by unanimous roll call vote. The clerk's record shows the council voting yes on both items. Staff indicated the procurement and financing steps will be implemented consistent with the FY2027 budget cycle.