Centerville council approves drone purchase

Preparing to search for a missing child, endangered adult or a fugitive if the need arises, Centerville Police Department received permission to purchase a drone.

Police Chief Josh Millsaps told council at its Jan. 13 meeting that the drone and related supplies would be “beneficial to the town and the people we serve.”

The $11,350 model from HLE Drones includes thermal imaging and a spotlight for night use.

At a previous meeting, council discussed the need for a speedy order because of changing federal rules restricting some imported drones to address national security concerns. Police were concerned about the quality and price of other options.

The U.S. Commerce Department announced Jan. 9 it withdrew those planned restrictions, according to Reuters, but that was not mentioned at the meeting.

Millsaps said funds would come from the police department’s unrestricted account. Council voted 4-0 for the purchase; David Cate was absent.

In other business

• Town Manager Kevin Slick said he’s getting a rough estimate on a trash truck and totes for customers to determine if council wants to pursue bids later this year. Town employees currently lift customers’ own trash cans to empty each week.
• Wayne County dispatchers tallied 2,936 calls initiated in Centerville for help in 2025, including police, fire, emergency medical services and some utility emergencies.
• Council President Dan Wandersee distributed information from Indiana Municipal Power Agency about state legislation the utility is tracking during the short session, saying some bills could negatively impact the town.
• Transformer delivery delays mean the town’s electric equipment conversion likely will resume in March. The first stage is from Gates Road to Sunset Avenue, followed by Union and Plum streets.
• Council approved a resolution allowing Fire Chief Andy Aughe to sell a 6,000-gallon portable water tank to any Wayne County agency. It can be sold to another Indiana department if all Wayne County departments turn it down.
• Gerald Millsaps said five building permits were processed in December, totaling $1,256 in revenue. Six code enforcement investigations were conducted, all cleared without enforcement action.
• Council will open bids for Community Crossings road repairs at its 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, work session in town hall, 220 E. Main St., Centerville. Bids are to be awarded at the Feb. 10 meeting. The public is invited to both.
• Council’s first work session agenda will include an ordinance on first reading to allow Centerville’s fire department to recover its costs for hazardous material or fuel spill or hazardous material-related fire on a public highway from the owner of the vehicle transporting the materials or the responsible party.