WC Looks Into Drones

Williams County officials say they are looking at purchasing a drone for county use. The price range for a basic commercial drone is as little as $1,000 and as high as $50,000. The county is looking at a “basic” type, with a camera in the $5,000 to $6,000 range that can be outfitted in the future with additional accessories, such as an infrared camera. Other costs include licensing and training. County officials say drones have a number of potential uses by various county agencies, such as geographic mapping, bridge inspections or inspecting a location in the field that is otherwise impassable from rain or snow.