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Salem approves five-year Axon drone contract for public safety, including replacement guarantee
Summary
The Salem City Council approved a five-year, $84,676 contract with Axon for a public safety drone, with annual payments of $16,935.20 and a 2.5-year technology refresh; Chief Brad James said Axon will replace broken or crashed equipment under the agreement.
The Salem City Council unanimously approved on Jan. 7 a five-year Axon contract to provide a drone and support for public safety, with a total contract cost of $84,676 and annual payments of $16,935.20.
Chief Brad James outlined operational uses — search and rescue, visual searches of ponds and crash scenes, and event live feeds — and said Officer Stones is a certified pilot who will train additional officers. The contract includes a technology refresh after 2.5 years so the city will effectively receive an upgraded drone midterm; Chief James said the vendor covers consumables and replacement if the drone is damaged under the contract: "Axon has guaranteed that if we crash it or break it, they will replace the drone as part of our agreed contract." Council approved the purchase on a motion by Councilperson Craig Sacco, seconded by Councilperson Delys Snyder (vote: 5–0).
Funding and cost sharing: Chief James said the public safety budget already includes $11,000 toward the purchase and that City Manager Matt Marziale would recommend where the remaining funds would come from. Staff also noted the drone could provide savings by replacing services the power department previously contracted for.
What happens next: Staff will finalize the contract with Axon, schedule pilot training and cross-department coordination for shared use, and implement the vendor replacement and maintenance provisions.
