Jefferson County officials said the county will not purchase a dedicated public-safety drone, citing infrequent use, maintenance costs and existing regional assets.

County staff described the task-force region's drone capabilities as including infrared imaging and two-way voice so a drone can relay messages and pick up verbal responses. "Jefferson County would not be obtaining our own drone," a county staff member said, adding that buying and maintaining a public-safety drone can cost "anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000" and that many local fire departments now have their own systems.

County staff and officials framed the choice as a matter of avoiding duplication. One staff member said the county previously retired a similar vehicle when local emergency-service partners acquired the capability: "It's like, why duplicate the resources when it's already available?"

The board also discussed changes to an internal personnel policy (agenda item 10). Staff described the update as a technical modernization that incorporates newer practices and a "reasonable cause" component to give department managers a step-by-step checklist for addressing an employee who appears intoxicated at work. "One part of that policy essentially lays out that step 1, step 2, step 3, so we're treating the employee fairly," a county staff member said, adding the goal is to protect employees and limit taxpayer liability.

In a separate matter reported during the meeting, a missing person mentioned in earlier discussion was located the next morning near their home on Hiram Street and evaluated by EMS. A county staff member said the person was found "safe and sound" at daybreak.

The board also heard election-related reminders and introductions. The county introduced Angie Burridge as assistant chief clerk and noted she is managing absentee ballots, voter registration and election operations during a busy season. "I'm glad to be here to serve Jefferson County," Burridge said.

Later in the meeting the board took a motion and voted. The transcript excerpt records the chair saying, "All in favor? Aye. ... Motion carries," but does not include the motion text or a recorded tally.

Why it matters: The county's decision not to buy a drone signals reliance on shared regional assets rather than owning redundant, costly equipment; the personnel-policy update adds a formalized procedure for supervisors to handle suspected intoxication; and the introduction of an elections official comes as staff prepare for imminent voting deadlines.

The transcript excerpt did not include ordinance numbers, vote tallies, or the full text of the motion that was carried, so those details were not reported here.