Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve the addition of the following to the Fiscal Year Fixed Asset List:
1) One (1) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the amount of $31,000;
2) One (1) light detection and ranging (lidar) in the amount of $35,000;
3) One (1) camera sensor in the amount of $10,000;
4) Approve the addition of two (2) high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers at $18,200 each, totaling $36,400; and
5) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer adjusting the budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 increasing Federal Emergency Management Agency revenue by $123,700, increasing Fixed Asset appropriations by $112,400 to allow for the purchase of the UAV, lidar and camera sensor, GNSS receivers, and increasing minor equipment appropriations by $11,300 for fixed asset accessories (4/5 vote required).
FUNDING: Road Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Department of Transportation (Transportation), Fairlane Engineering’s Survey Unit (Survey) is requesting authorization to add five (5) items to the Fixed Asset list and allocate funds to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 budget. These funds will be used to purchase an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV/drone), lidar, and a camera sensor for use in performing aerial surveys of project sites to develop topographic (topo) maps. Survey also requests to add two (2) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers to the Fixed Asset list. The GNSS SmartAntenna integrated with UHF Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) radio is a high-precision GNSS device that, when used as a pair, provides centimeter-level, survey-grade accuracy.
The Survey staff supports Transportation's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), where the projects are a major part of the County's infrastructure, including other projects such as right of way, maintenance, and development. In early 2020, Transportation purchased its first UAV/drone, and for the past six (6) years, the current UAV/drone has been utilized on nearly every CIP project to obtain photos with precise positions that can be processed in photogrammetry software to create a digital surface model and Ortho mosaic image that can be used in project planning and design. The current UAV/drone has also been used to take videos and photos of CIP project sites to record existing conditions prior to and during construction. This process has also been used to assist the City of Placerville in its “Trip to Green” project to document traffic conditions at various times of the day.
In compliance with Federal Order DA 25-1086 as of December 22, 2025, Transportation is no longer allowed to use the UAV/drone purchased in 2020 on any federally funded projects. Since approximately 53% of Transportation projects are federally funded, it is necessary to replace the current drone with a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliant UAV/drone.
This purchase of an NDAA-compliant UAV/drone will allow Transportation to continue providing the same photogrammetry deliverables that have been done over the past six (6) years, but with the addition of lidar data, which uses laser pulses from the UAV/drone to detect ground surface elevations. Use of this lidar data, along with traditional photogrammetry, has now become the industry standard in aerial mapping. Aerial lidar pulses will penetrate forested areas which reduces fieldwork time significantly. Traditionally, Transportation staff have been required to obtain permits from property owners to enter private property and cut through brush to measure ground elevations with survey instruments.
In the construction phase, Transportation’s use of a UAV/drone has become essential in monitoring construction progress through aerial mapping, general photography, and videography. Site conditions can be easily recorded and shared with Transportation staff internally and with the public on each project’s webpage. Earthwork quantities can be easily calculated by comparing UAV/drone surveys between different dates. This has been a great tool for monitoring site progress and verifying contractor’s reported cut-and-fill quantities.
Transportation is also requesting the addition of two (2) high-precision GNSS SmartAntennas with integrated UHF RTK radios for the Survey staff, replacing obsolete equipment. Top uses of this equipment are land boundary and topographic surveys, construction site layouts, infrastructure development, and utility mapping. The Survey staff uses these systems throughout all phases of the projects to establish precise property lines for legal documentation and land ownership, positioning roads and utilities accurately before construction begins, mapping terrain features for engineering, design, and environmental studies, aligning roads and bridges with centimeter-level accuracy, and locating and documenting underground pipes, cables, and other assets. This equipment was last purchased in 2014 and has been outdated for several years, but to keep costs down, Transportation has elected to continue using it. Using outdated equipment can significantly impact accuracy, efficiency, and safety in surveying and construction projects. Older systems lack compatibility with modern satellite constellations, advanced correction methods, and reliable communication links. Replacing the equipment will reduce maintenance costs, improve operational reliability, increase positional accuracy, and ensure alignment with organizational goals and technological standards.
The FY 2025-26 Budget will need to be adjusted as follows:
Budgeted appropriations in the Transportation Engineering budget need to be increased in Fixed Assets-Equipment by $112,400 and Minor Equipment by $11,300. This is offset by a decrease in Appropriations for Contingency in the amount of $123,700 in the Transportation General Department budget.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the additional fixed assets and associated items as proposed, although this would leave Transportation unable to continue operating the UAV/drone on federal projects, with outdated technology that operates more slowly and less efficiently, with possible missed project deadlines and reduced productivity.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On December 10, 2019, Legistar file 19-1342, the Board approved the purchase of Transportation’s first UAV/drone.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
CAO, Community Development Finance & Administration
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
[This section is completed by the CAO's Office. This section is required]
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost associated with this item. The proposed fixed assets and additional costs are funded by Road Fund and offset by increased revenue received this fiscal year that was not included in the budget. The total cost for the fixed assets and accessories is $123,700. The ongoing yearly cost for maintenance, training, insurance, and software is approximately $8,780. The ongoing cost will be included with the Department's budget request in future fiscal years.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the budget transfer documents.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward the budget transfer to the Auditor/Controller for processing.
3) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) copy of the signed budget transfer to Transportation, Fairlane Engineering, attn. Shanann Findley, for further processing of the approved fixed asset purchases.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation