Police Chief Woodell updated the Junction City City Council on June 24 that the department’s dispatch contract with Lane County is signed and a switchover date of July 1 is expected.

“The county dispatch contract signed, ready to go. We're we're looking for a switchover date of July 1,” Chief Woodell said. He told council the change will require staff coordination and that one dispatcher has resigned to take another job.

Chief Woodell said the department is implementing a multi‑phase records-management and records‑management software (RMS) upgrade with EIS. He explained the department will run both systems in parallel for a time to extract and transfer data from the current vendor (CMI) and to stand up the new RMS and CAD. The chief said the department has acquired three new mobile data terminals (MDTs) and expects to request funding for additional MDTs so patrol staff can run the updated software.

The chief also briefed council on Axon in‑car and body‑worn systems, an evidence module, and a possible regional “plot camera” license‑plate‑recognition program that Junction City is evaluating with Eugene and Springfield. He said the cameras could assist with stolen-vehicle, robbery and missing‑person investigations but said cost and details remain under discussion.

Councilors raised concerns about records and front‑counter service. Council members noted the proposed police‑service‑technician/records position is currently part‑time and said pulling sworn staff from patrol to cover records functions could reduce patrol availability. Chief Woodell described short‑term arrangements to cover records needs and said the department will try to scale the role to available funding and operations realities.

On warrants, Chief Woodell said Lane County will house and clear Junction City warrants under the new contract, reducing the need for officers to leave the field to check warrant status.

The council and chief discussed court staffing and the court‑clerk/reception split; staff said the city is evaluating front‑counter hours and potential reorganization to provide more reliable in‑person services while maintaining court and records processing.

No formal council action was taken; the briefing outlined operational plans and staffing needs for further council consideration and budget planning.