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Auburn Council OKs $48,676 Tethered Drone for Public Safety
Summary
The Auburn City Council authorized a $48,676 contract with FotoKite US LLC for a tethered drone system to expand mobile-command observation capabilities; staff said the device offers higher-definition, 360-degree surveillance and tethered power for extended deployment.
Auburn’s City Council on May 19 authorized the city manager to execute a contract to buy a tethered drone system for the Public Safety Department for $48,676.
City staff described the system as a tethered platform that can fly higher than mounted command-center towers and remain powered through a cable, offering extended deployment and enhanced imaging. “It has a more high definition, camera, so it gives you better better observation from a 360 degree angle,” a staff presenter said.
Council members asked operational questions about piloting and power. Staff explained the device is piloted and draws power from its tether — whether connected to the mobile command vehicle or another power source — and that it generally remains in one location to provide situational awareness.
Council debated the application and safety considerations briefly before approving the consent agenda item by voice vote. The motion carried with no recorded roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.
The contract adds a tethered aerial capability to Auburn’s mobile command operations, intended to provide expanded visual coverage during incidents. The city did not provide further deployment policies or retention rules in the discussion recorded on the transcript.
The council moved on to other consent and ordinance items after approving the purchase.
