The Clay County Commission voted unanimously Sept. 25 to approve a sole‑source purchase of a grappler pursuit bumper for the Clay County Sheriff's Office and funding to train local instructors to use and teach the device.

"The grappler... is the only vendor that we can get this product from, which is why we are asking for approval as a sole source vendor," Captain Amy Agderian of the Clay County Sheriff's Office told the commission during a presentation that included demonstration video. "Looking at it from a risk management standpoint... other departments in the county see that this could really be beneficial."

Nut graf: Sheriff’s office presenters said the grappler can stop a pursued vehicle within a single lane without the vehicle crossing into other lanes of traffic, which they argued reduces risk to officers, the public and the suspect. Commissioners asked about vehicle compatibility, instructor training and the replacement costs for the device; the commission approved the purchase and a training plan.

Agderian described operational details: the grappler deploys a net that engages a suspect vehicle's rear tires; nets cost about $200 each, and the manufacturer will buy back used nets for $75 if they are in reasonable condition. The sheriff's office requested two bumpers to be mounted on full‑size Tahoes (the department has two Tahoes being retrofitted from K‑9 to patrol use), planned to send two personnel to Arizona for installation and instructor training, and included a quote for additional replacement nets. "The total invoice that I have ready to input in Munis with your approval is a little bit over $16,000," Agderian said.

Commissioners asked operational questions: some vehicle models (Interceptor SUVs) are not compatible with the bumper, so the department will place the units on Tahoes, Chargers or full‑size pickups; trained instructors in the sheriff's office will in turn train other deputies and partner agencies if requested. Commissioner Wagner asked who would train and how many deputies would be trained; Agderian said two people would receive instructor training so they can train the rest of the agency in‑house.

The commission voted to approve agenda item 2025276, the sole‑source purchase and training package, and the motion passed 6–0.

Ending: County staff said the purchase will be funded through the sheriff's identified resources and that trained instructors will permit broader in‑house training. The sheriff's office said the grappler will remain one tool among established options such as stop sticks and PIT/TVI techniques.