(SAN RAMON, Calif.) — The San Ramon City Council approved a ten-year agreement with Axon Enterprise on October 13, authorizing up to $4.1 million for police equipment, software and technology services, including body-worn cameras, Tasers, vehicle cameras and drone-related systems.
The agreement brings several technologies used by the San Ramon Police Department under one contract, replacing a collection of existing agreements for equipment, maintenance and digital evidence management.
According to the staff report presented to the council, the agreement carries a base cost of $3,908,653.20, including estimated taxes. An additional contingency of $195,432.66 brings the maximum authorization to $4,104,085.86.
The contingency is intended for additional equipment, services or contract adjustments and will not automatically be paid to the vendor. Any use of those funds must follow city approval procedures.
The technology package includes Axon Body 4 cameras worn by officers, Axon Fleet systems installed in patrol vehicles, interview-room recording equipment and software used to manage digital evidence. It also includes Axon Air drone technology and associated storage services.
Police Chief Becky Chestnut and Capt. John Cranford identified operational efficiency, system compatibility and reduced contract administration as reasons for consolidating the equipment under one agreement.
Photo Credit: City Hall - San Ramon, CA
The department also recommended using an exception to the city's conventional competitive purchasing process. Under the city's purchasing policy, the proposed procurement would rely on an exception known as the "idle acts" provision.
Police officials argued that Axon is the only company offering the specific Taser equipment sought by the department and that purchasing related technologies separately could create additional integration and maintenance costs.
The staff report states that the ten-year option is expected to save approximately $2.28 million compared with the five-year alternative considered by the department. That amount represents projected savings based on the proposed pricing rather than savings already realized.
Funding will come from San Ramon's General Fund. The current fiscal year's portion has already been incorporated into the city's adopted budget, while future expenditures remain subject to annual City Council appropriations.
The agreement is expected to begin December 1, 2026, when certain existing Axon contracts are scheduled to terminate.
Although the contract includes drone-related technology, the staff report does not specify how many drones will be supplied or identify their deployment locations.
The council's authorization allows the city to proceed with the agreement following the required legal and purchasing reviews.
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