Samaritan Hospital Foundation grant pays for covert cameras; Richland and Ashland sheriff's offices approve sharing agreement

Richland County commissioners approved a sharing agreement on July 29 that allows covert camera systems purchased with a Samaritan Hospital Foundation grant to be shared between the Richland County Sheriff's Office and the Ashland County Sheriff's Office. Commissioner Barrow told the board the grant-funded cameras cost about $12,500 each and that the agreement is a sharing arrangement to make the cameras available "as needed" to both county law enforcement agencies. "These are for covert camera systems. Each... cost is approximately $12,500 each," Barrow said. Board members asked whether the county prosecutor had reviewed the agreement; staff confirmed that Prosecutor Andrew reviewed and drafted the agreement for both counties. A motion to approve the sharing agreement passed by voice vote during the meeting. Commissioners thanked the Samaritan Hospital Foundation for the funding and noted the foundation will soon become University Hospital Foundation; one commissioner said the foundation is concluding under its current name and the board appreciated the region-wide support. No changes to the agreement's terms or additional funding approvals were requested at the meeting.