Extended public comments and a vote on a 10-year, $6 million contract between the City of Covington and Axon Enterprises will take place next Tuesday, Sept. 8 as part of the city’s regular legislative meeting.
The meeting will take place at Covington City Hall on Pike Street, starting at 6 p.m.
The contract includes mobile license plate reader devices for squad cars, a new police drone, tasers, new AI-integrated tech and other equipment for the department. The money to purchase this tech had been set aside as part of the city’s budgeting process earlier this year. The city’s current five-year contract with Axon will conclude on Sept. 30.
A vote on the contract was originally scheduled for last week, but commissioners ultimately didn’t vote after residents raised concerns and some commissioners expressed confusion about the proposal. A motion to approve the contract failed to get a second, and Mayor Ron Washington later recommended holding a public forum so residents could weigh in.
The commissioners asked the city manager to create a presentation to give to the public prior to the public comments. Washington recommended allowing each speaker five minutes and no limit on the number of people who could speak. The forum would not be limited to Covington residents.
Those who are unable to attend the meeting can still leave written comments to the city by filling out its online contact form here.
Read our previous coverage of Covington’s Axon contract below to get caught up:
