Sheriff seeks permission to study automated traffic cameras, requests vehicle procurement; commissioners require trade‑in list before buys

Sheriff’s Office updates and requests dominated a long segment of the Oct. 8 meeting.

Traffic enforcement and speed deterrence: The sheriff described widespread speeding and limited manpower for targeted enforcement and proposed researching automated traffic cameras as a deterrent. He asked commissioners for permission to research costs and legal structure; commissioners encouraged the study and asked the sheriff to return with a cost/implementation plan. The sheriff explained how camera‑ticketing programs typically issue civil fines to vehicle owners (no license points) and said cameras would be moved periodically rather than fixed.

Vehicle procurement and fleet management: The sheriff presented four bids for two new Durango vehicles (equipment lists included police upfits) and said $98,000 was available in the sheriff’s vehicle fund. Commissioners asked the sheriff to submit the two vehicles he intended to trade in so the county could arrange auctions or trade‑ins and to re‑present purchase paperwork at the Oct. 15 meeting. The sheriff said vehicle production timelines mean delays if the board waits; commissioners asked for the trade‑in list to balance fleet reduction goals contained in prior court orders.

Undercover vehicle title and community corrections vehicles: Commissioners authorized signing undercover vehicle title documents outside the meeting (to facilitate trade‑in) and approved transfer of community corrections vehicle titles.

Commissary credit card and internal controls: Commissioners approved issuing a county credit card to the sheriff’s commissary account under the county’s recently adopted internal controls ordinance. Staff said that use would be governed by county ordinance and require reporting.

Jail maintenance funding: The sheriff requested clarity on who should budget for jail maintenance; commissioners advised that jail maintenance is typically included in the sheriff’s budget and encouraged the sheriff to request specific line‑item funding from the county council in the 2026 budget to avoid future disputes.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to the sheriff preparing a camera study, to provide vehicle trade‑in information by Oct. 15 and to allow title signings for undercover/community corrections vehicles; they also approved the commissary credit card with internal control safeguards.