Council approved a $16.1 million expansion of the police department's Axon surveillance technology over nearly two hours of opposed public comment, and held the second public hearing on a strained 2026-27 budget.
Council voted 6 to 1, with Nate Baker opposed, to approve a contract worth up to $16.1 million expanding police drone-as-first-responder units, in-car cameras, and the Fusus video-integration platform.
Most public comment opposed the expansion, framing it as surveillance overreach and citing Axon's Israeli-military ties, while Floyd McKissick was among the few urging the program be expanded.
Council held the second public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 budget and capital plan, a shortfall many speakers invoked in opposing new police spending, with a final vote expected later in June.