Key Takeaways
- The Novato Police Department is upgrading its technology with a new five-year, $1.04 million agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc.
- The agreement includes upgrades to Tasers, virtual-reality training equipment, body cameras, and software for redaction, video tagging, and public safety intelligence.
- The department will save money by bundling services and including software upgrades in the contract.
- The contract aligns with the city’s general plan goals of running a "city that works" and providing the police department with the tools they need to do their jobs.
- The city has room in the current fiscal-year budget for the first year of the contract, but will need to incorporate $224,000 per year into future budgets.
Introduction to the Technology Upgrade
The Novato Police Department is getting a significant technology upgrade, thanks to a new agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. The City Council has authorized the city manager to execute a five-year, $1.04 million contract with the public safety technology company. This agreement is an upgrade to the city’s previous deal with Axon, which was signed in 2022 and worth $763,534 over five years. The new contract will provide the police department with a range of new technologies and services, including upgrades to Tasers, virtual-reality training equipment, and body cameras.
Previous Contracts and Cost Savings
The city previously had "à la carte" contracts with Axon, which were set to expire between 2026 and 2028. However, the city was facing a 23% increase in costs next year if it continued with these options. By bundling services and signing a new contract, the city will be able to save money on software upgrades, which are now included in the agreement. According to Police Chief Jim Naugle, the software upgrades are "valuable tools capable of reducing staff time and greatly improving service delivery to the community." The new contract will also provide the department with redaction software, automatic video tagging software, and a public safety intelligence platform.
Contract Details and Budget Implications
The new contract with Axon will cost the city $1.04 million over five years, with the first year costing roughly $121,000. The city has room in the current fiscal-year budget to cover the first year of the contract, but will need to incorporate $224,000 per year into future budgets. The contract aligns with the city’s general plan goals of running a "city that works" and providing the police department with the tools they need to do their jobs. As Councilmember Pat Eklund noted, "It’s very important for our police department to have the tools that they need to be able to do their jobs. Technology is advancing so quickly these days, we needed to purchase all that material, supplies and everything, so they could have state of the art computer systems."
Alignment with City Goals and Budget
The city approved a 2025-26 budget of $57.7 million in June, which included a police budget of $21 million. The new contract with Axon is a significant investment in the police department’s technology and will help to support the city’s goals of providing effective and efficient public safety services. As Naugle noted, the contract is an important step in ensuring that the police department has the tools and resources it needs to serve the community. The city’s decision to invest in new technology for the police department demonstrates its commitment to providing high-quality public safety services and supporting the work of its law enforcement officers.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the Novato Police Department’s new contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. is a significant upgrade to the department’s technology and will provide a range of new tools and services to support its work. The contract aligns with the city’s general plan goals and will help to ensure that the police department has the resources it needs to provide effective and efficient public safety services. As the city looks to the future, it is likely that technology will continue to play an increasingly important role in law enforcement, and the new contract with Axon will help to position the Novato Police Department for success in this area. With its new technology and software, the department will be better equipped to serve the community and keep residents safe.