TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Chief Russ Mager, Police Department
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: August 5, 2024
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APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FY 2023/2024 DRONE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Motion to approve application for additional funding from 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 Cybersecurity will be analyzing if the drones present any cyber security concerns.
On November 14, 2023, the City approved application for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement FY 2023/2024 Drone Replacement program. At the time, the reimbursement amount was based on the initial purchase price and the total number of flight hours as attested by the Chief Official of the law enforcement agency. The City Commission approved funding in the estimated not to exceed $61,000. The amendment to the House Bill changes how the reimbursement amount is calculated, allowing for additional funding for the drones that the Police Department relinquished. Therefore, it is necessary to bring t...
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