Kalispell council mulls privacy concerns over drone use

Questions about privacy issues surfaced Monday during a Kalispell City Council work session aimed at discussing the city’s use of drones and other advanced technology.

On the flip side, city officials told the council that using drones and other technology is increasing efficiency and productivity in city operations.

In 2017, the city started using drones in many departments, such as Planning, Public Works and Parks and Recreation.

“Everybody is applying drones to specific projects where it’s applicable,” said Jason Singleton, a GIS specialist in the city’s Information Technology department.

Singleton gave a presentation on the benefits of drones and the regulations the city is required to follow in order to operate them.

He said “unmanned aircraft” are used by city staff for the main purposes of mapping, 3D modeling, volume calculations and media development.

The drone…