Board approves sheriff requests: upgraded in-car computers and new jail generator with grant reimbursement

The Spalding County Board of Commissioners on July 21 approved two requests from the sheriff’s office: purchase of upgraded in-vehicle computers to move from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and an initial county payment to order a 500-kilowatt natural-gas generator for the county jail. Both items are expected to be reimbursed by pending grants.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the in-car computers are at end of life for Windows 10 and must be upgraded to keep law-enforcement software supported. The generator is intended to power the entire detention and administrative facility during outages; the current diesel generator has failed testing and cannot be removed without replacement.

Computer purchase: County staff and the sheriff reduced the requested amount by removing seldom-used insurance coverage and by purchasing 24 units from county funds, lowering the remaining county request to $139,720. County funds will be repaid if the pending grant covering the purchase is awarded. The board approved the $139,720 expenditure; the motion carried 4-0.

Jail generator: The sheriff described a $379,197 federal grant award that covers most of the project; the county’s share was reported at roughly 20% and the contractor required an initial $100,000 deposit to place the generator order. Commissioners approved proceeding with the initial payment; board members asked staff to consider local vendors and noted the unit will be county property. The motion carried 4-0.

Operational notes: The sheriff explained officers use the in-car systems to perform tag checks, receive silent dispatch information and run records while mobile; staff said shutting the systems down and restarting them creates delays.

Ending: Both funding decisions were approved by the board with the expectation that grant reimbursements will offset the county’s initial outlays.