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Atascosa County OKs $8,734 AV system to provide public access to magistrate hearings
Summary
The commissioners approved a vendor quote to add audio-visual equipment in the sheriff’s office lobby so magistrate hearings can be publicly viewed, and discussed interlocal agreements with cities to share costs and maintenance.
Atascosa County commissioners on March 24 voted to accept an $8,734 quote from San Antonio Sound and Light to install audio-visual equipment enabling public access to magistrate hearings held at the sheriff’s booking area.
The purchase responds to concerns about public access to magistrations raised by county staff after a federal appeals decision elsewhere, court members said. Justin Vasquez of the county IT office told the court the system would supply an AV feed in the sheriff’s office lobby so the public can observe magistrate proceedings without entering secured booking areas.
“We’re coming up with a solution to be able to have audio visual coverage of where they magistrate to a video feed in the lobby of the Sheriff's Office so it can be publicly viewed,” Justin Vasquez said.
Court members discussed how to distribute costs and ongoing maintenance: the sheriff’s office would cover a portion, JP technology funds were suggested as another contributor, and county staff recommended asking municipalities that hold prisoners to contribute under interlocal agreements. County Attorney Molly Solis said an agreement would be needed if cities are to pay for maintenance or upkeep.
Commissioners approved the quote and authorized the county judge to execute the contract. The court directed staff to prepare interlocal language for city contributions and noted the system would also serve as digital signage in the lobby when not used for magistrations.
The court recorded no objections on the motion to accept the quote.
Next steps include drafting interlocal agreements and returning to commissioners if municipal partners decline to contribute.
