The contract costs $89,782 for the first year and $180,543 per year, totaling $992,501.
In 2021, Auburn police entered an agreement with Axon Enterprise to provide a suite of equipment, including one of its latest technologies, “Drone as a First Responder” named Skydio, according to the council packet.
“Skydio offers semi-autonomous drones that will respond to calls within the predefined operational area to provide field units with critical pre-arrival information on the situation to which they are responding,” the packet said.
“Public Safety, as one of our tenants, constantly looks at technology improvements to help with efficiency and effectiveness and service, and the police department is aggressive in that endeavor,” said Auburn Public Safety Director William A. Mathews Jr.
Mathews said they started looking at Drone as a First Responder about two years ago when it was new, and since then, it has developed in its abilities and is “a lot more prevalent across the country.”
In a presentation shown to the city council, highlights of Skydio include pilot controls as needed on scene, arriving on scene before dispatched units, video evidence to assist with investigations, thermal video technology to assist with fire scenes, multiple pods that provide maximized coverage, and more.
During the meeting, Auburn Public Safety proposed Skydio’s coverage area: Two docks at the Public Safety Building on North Ross Street and two docks at Water Resource Management on West Samford Avenue.
The area outlined by Opelika Road, Dean Road and Moores Mill Road is exclusionary due to the airport. Mathews said Public Safety will have to call and get special permission if they need to fly a drone in that area.
OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
- The Auburn City Council approved a special events alcohol license for Aramark Educational Services, LLC for an event at Plainsman Park.
- The city council approved the 2025 Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report.
- The city council approved an infrastructure development agreement with BC Stone Homes, LLC, for the Blackwood Grove development.
- The city council accepted public utility easements for Allen Turner Automotive Holdings III Inc. at the property located at 2662 W. Pace Blvd.
- The city council approved commercial and entertainment use, office use, and commercial support use at the property located at 2272 Bent Creek Road.
- The city council approved a performance residential use for The Boulevard Phase 9, a multi-unit development, at the property located at 547 Bryant Circle.
- The city council approved the industrial use for the INFAC North America Project at the property located at 2250 Riley St.
- The city council renewed a FY26 Ambulance Service Agreement for $632,194.
- The city council approved a task order for engineering design services for the North Dean Road and Opelika Road intersection improvements project for $612,370.
