McPherson County approves 5-year contract for license-plate readers

McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County commissioners voted to approve a five-year contract with Flock Safety for license-plate reader cameras, committing up to $63,800 over the life of the contract.

The system will cost $15,800 the first year and $12,000 annually thereafter, and will include two pole-mounted cameras and two cameras mounted on guardrail fixtures, according to the presentation to the commission.

The presenter, Jerry, county jail staff, described how the system works and why staff recommended it. “If there's a car that comes through our county… the tag gets recognized. If it's a violent offender, if it's a civil alert… it allows us to reach out, and know where this person is at that time so we can keep track,” Jerry said. He told the commission the technology assisted in a recent investigation involving fentanyl distribution.

Commissioners debated briefly and then moved to approve the contract. The motion passed with the commission saying “aye” and the chair declaring the motion carried.

The contract requires the county to enter an information-sharing agreement with other participating jurisdictions; the presenter said neighboring counties and cities use similar systems and that plates captured by one reader can be queried by others under agreements. The presenter said he could not confirm whether the City of McPherson had completed a separate contract.

The county clerk was instructed to finalize the paperwork and return the signed contract once it is delivered to the county.

Votes at a glance: motion to approve five-year contract with Flock Safety, total not to exceed $63,800 — approved (commission recorded as saying aye).

Ending: County staff will complete contract paperwork and proceed with installation and initial payment as described in the presentation.