Todd County approves license‑plate cameras and radar purchase; sheriff seeks Sourcewell grant for radios

The Todd County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 16 approved three public‑safety technology purchases and supported a resolution to apply for a Sourcewell grant to replace portable radios. The board voted to allow the sheriff’s office to buy a four‑camera Flock license‑plate reading package for about $12,000, purchase five Stalker radar systems for $12,884.50 using forfeiture funds, and to apply for a $50,000 Sourcewell public safety grant for portable radios.

Why it matters: The sheriff’s office said the license‑plate cameras would help locate suspect vehicles countywide and assist drug enforcement and missing‑person investigations, and that the radar systems and radios would support traffic enforcement and officer communications.

The sheriff described the Flock system as a four‑camera package placed at county‑directed locations and said it would link to other agencies’ cameras in the state: “By getting 4 cameras, we have access to every camera in the state,” the sheriff said, explaining that the county would request opioid‑settlement funds to reimburse the purchase. The board approved the purchase and the sheriff’s motion to apply for the Sourcewell grant after brief discussion about funding sources; commissioners noted opioid settlement funds and public safety aid as likely sources for initial outlays.

On radar systems, the sheriff told the board the department negotiated a deal to buy five Stalker radar units for the price of four and recommended using the department’s forfeiture fund to pay the $12,884.50 cost; the board approved that purchase. The sheriff also said the Sourcewell grant application would seek funding for approximately 10 portable radios but specified the immediate request in the meeting was for approval to submit a resolution supporting an application.

Discussion and limitations: Commissioners and the sheriff discussed funding sources—public safety aid and opioid settlement money were named specifically as intended sources and potential reimbursements—but the board did not vote on reimbursement mechanics in the meeting. There was no substantive public comment recorded on privacy or data‑sharing policies related to license‑plate readers during the meeting.

Next steps: The sheriff’s office will proceed with procurement and the administration will submit the Sourcewell grant resolution so the county can apply before the program deadline. The board authorized the purchases and grant application in separate motions.