Meetings
 
Spotsylvania County
Board of Supervisors Agenda
Executive Summary

 
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Meeting Date: February 27, 2018
Title: Request Approval for Resolution to Support the Implementation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (a.k.a. Drone) Program by the Sheriff’s Office
Type: Action, Resolution, Appropriation
Agenda Title: Request Approval of Resolution to Support the Implementation of an Unmanned Aircraft System (a.k.a. Drone) Program by the Sheriff’s Office
Recommendation: The Sheriff’s Office and staff recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the attached resolution in support of the Sheriff’s Office implementing an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) program.  
Summary: Spotsylvania County will be receiving a federal pass through regional grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) to be utilized by the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of two unmanned aircraft systems.  Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office will be the implementing agency for this regional grant, with partners to include the Sheriff’s Offices from the Counties of Caroline, Louisa, and Orange, as well as the Spotsylvania County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management.  In order to comply with the requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration and the impending grant award, the Board of Supervisors will need to adopt a resolution in support of implementing a UAS program. The governing bodies for the regional parties will also need to adopt a resolution in support of this program.
Committee/Commission Summary:
Review Date: Status:
Financial Impact: There is no financial impact at this time.  There are numerous prerequisites to be met before the Virginia Department of Emergency Management will issue the grant award document.  Once the grant award documents are received, they will be forwarded to the County Attorney’s Office, County Administration, and the Finance Committee for their respective recommendations.  The grant award will then be presented to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration in accepting and appropriating the award.
Staff Contacts:

Major Carter Wells, Sheriff’s Office

Captain Roger Harris II, Sheriff’s Office

Annette D’Alessandro, Finance
Legal Counsel: Karl Holsten, County Attorneys Office
Additional Background/Other Considerations: In order to apply for a Certificate of Authorization or Waiver (COA), the County Attorney will be required to submit a letter certifying that Spotsylvania County qualifies as a political sub division of the Commonwealth for the purposes of operating as a public aircraft operator.
Consequence of Denial/Inaction: Denial of this request will mean that the Sheriff’s Office will be unable to implement an UAS program for law enforcement purposes. 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Name: Description: Type:
Spotsy_Board_Support_for_UAS_-_Resolution_Final.docx Resolution Resolution