Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves five-year body camera and taser package amid procurement questions
Summary
The council approved a $146,335.87 five-year package of body cameras, tasers and storage from Accent/Axon after the police chief described urgent replacement needs and escalating storage use; one councilmember voted no while others cited operational urgency and plans to review procurement rules.
The council approved a five-year quote of $146,335.87 from Accent Enterprises (bundled Axon package) to replace aging tasers and body cameras and to expand storage and training capacity. The Police Chief explained the urgency: several tasers are no longer under warranty and may fail when needed, and the department’s body-camera storage has grown from a permitted 700GB to more than 8.4TB.
"When that thing discharges, it needs to happen right then," the chief said, explaining the operational risk posed by out-of-warranty units. He said the vendor will repair and replace units under the contract, supply cartridges and provide prorated billing and quarterly payments; the first-year payment was shown as roughly $28,229 (prorated).
Council members raised procurement concerns, noting a significant price increase from prior contracts and asking whether an expedited bid process should be used in future. City staff acknowledged they are asking the council to review purchasing procedures and may propose changes to allow telephone or electronic bids in mid-range procurements to speed urgent purchases.
On the roll call, Trace Connor, Larry Church, Scott Rossman, Chris Anson and Jeff Nance voted yes; Dana Miller voted no. The motion passed 5–1.
Staff said the contract bundles cameras, tasers, storage and training (including a VR headset for training) and that the vendor will provide maintenance and cartridges during the five-year term. The council also discussed potential budget amendments given the price increase, and a separate agenda item immediately following asked the council to consider changes to purchasing thresholds and documentation requirements.
