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Vernon Hills approves 4‑year drone first‑responder contract, waives bidding
Summary
The Village Board on Jan. 13 approved Ordinance 2026‑003 to waive competitive bidding and authorize a four‑year contract with Motorola Solutions (partnered with Brink) for a drone first‑responder program. The first year carries no operating cost; years two–four are about $59,000 per year. The board voted unanimously.
The Village Board of Vernon Hills voted Jan. 13 to approve Ordinance 2026‑003, allowing the village to waive competitive bidding and contract with Motorola Solutions (partnered with a drone manufacturer identified in the package as Brink) for a drone first‑responder (DFR) program. The ordinance authorizes a potential 48‑month expenditure listed in the staff materials as $179,997.
Police Chief (speaking to the board) described the contract as structured to reduce risk for the village during an initial evaluation. "The first year of operating this drone does not cost the village anything," the chief said, noting the vendor will install equipment, secure FAA authorizations, and train personnel before the village’s contract term begins. He said years two, three and four would carry recurring costs the packet estimates at about $59,000 per year. He also told the board the vendor agreed to an option allowing the village to cancel during the first 12 months, at which point the vendor would uninstall equipment and the village would owe no future operating costs.
The chief told trustees staff focused on one of the vendors offering incentives that make the program "kind of risk free" for the village while it evaluates a regional approach with LACOM, the interjurisdictional dispatch partnership. He said LACOM is still building core dispatch services and that other LACOM partners are choosing different vendors; the village expects to learn more about regional operation and interoperability over the next 12 months.
President Cook called for a motion to approve. The motion was seconded and passed on roll‑call with Trustees Forster, Schenck, Takahoka, Marquardt, Lundin and President Cook voting "Aye." Trustee Oppenheim was recorded as absent.
Staff said operational launch is likely about four to five months after installation and FAA approvals; the chief said he will update the board when the program becomes operational and again before the 12‑month review point so the board can decide whether to continue or terminate the contract.
The ordinance authorizes the village manager to execute contractual documents consistent with the approved terms; the packet lists the total potential 48‑month exposure at $179,997, while the chief summarized the figure conversationally as "a $179,000" amount during remarks.
