TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Chief Russ Mager, Police Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: November 14, 2023
Title
APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FY 2023/2024 DRONE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to approve application for Florida Department of Law Enforcement FY 2023/2024 Drone Replacement Program.
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Background:
In past sessions, the Florida Legislature amended Section 934.50, Florida Statutes to require governmental entities to only utilize drones meeting the requirements outlined in Rule 60GG-2.0075, Florida Administrative Code. This change required governmental agencies who use drones for various purposes to cease the use of any drone that is not in compliance with the Rule. During the 2023 Legislative Session, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was appropriated approximately $25 million in nonrecurring funds to implement the Drone Replacement Grant Program. Funds under this program will be awarded to reimburse Florida law enforcement agencies (LEAs) who relinquish non-compliant drones to Florida Department of Law Enforcement that will be provided to the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at the University of South Florida. The Center for Cybesecurity will be analyzing if the drones present any cybersecurity concerns.
This program is open to law enforcement agencies in the State of Florida. Available funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, until all funds are expended. Reimbursement amounts for the relinquished drone(s) will be based on the initial purchase price and the total number of flight hours as attested by the Chief Official of the law enforcement agency. Funds received under this program must be used for the acquisition of new, compliant drones for the participating law enforcement agency. The Police Department is expecting that the funding will not exceed $61,000 and will likely be much less if accessories such as...
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