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Council OKs $980,478 to finish courtroom audio, video and remote-appearance system
Summary
Allen County Council approved $980,478 to complete an enterprise-wide upgrade of courtroom sound, recording and remote-appearance systems across 16 courtrooms, citing poor acoustics, better public accessibility and savings from eliminating a third-party remote-appearance service.
The Allen County Council approved a $980,478 appropriation to complete an enterprise-wide replacement of courtroom sound, recording and remote-appearance systems for Allen Superior Court.
John Magaly, court executive for Allen Superior Court, asked the council to approve the remaining funding needed to outfit all 16 courtrooms with modern sound, camera and recording equipment. "Last fall we brought to you a request for about $480,000 ... The first phase of this got us through 5 or 6 courtrooms. There are 16 in total for about a million 5 that we would need to complete the project," he said and asked for the balance now to "tariff proof" the project.
Judge Dave Zent told the council the upgrades are necessary to ensure juries, court reporters and courtroom participants can hear proceedings. "I view that as a necessity," Zent said, describing frequent instances when jurors or reporters ask participants to repeat answers because existing microphones and acoustics do not convey courtroom speech reliably. He said the new systems will also improve the public record and courtroom accessibility.
Court staff said the project also supports remote appearances and would reduce the sheriff’s current monthly expense for a third-party remote-appearance service called CourtCall. The upgrade includes cameras for witness and juror areas, better sound design, and technology that will enable remote participation from the jail and other locations using existing Zoom licenses.
Magaly and vendor staff told the council they solicited five quotes, and that the bids were close. They said the installation schedule aims to complete all work by the end of the year; individual courtroom installs take about one week.
A council member asked whether the state Supreme Court might change administrative rules to presume hearings be virtual, and whether that would affect local funding. Magaly said the Supreme Court is considering broader use of virtual appearances but that hardware funding remains a local responsibility.
Council members moved and seconded an appropriation of $980,478 from the general fund for court equipment. The motion passed on a voice vote recorded as "Passes 5 0 2."
