Commission approves lease purchase for sheriff’s body cameras, interview-room cameras, tasers and software

The Williamson County Board of Commissioners on July 14 approved an amendment authorizing the county mayor to amend a master services and purchasing agreement with Axon Enterprises Inc. to lease-purchase body cameras, interview-room cameras, tasers and related software for the sheriff’s office. The resolution (7-25-35) passed unanimously, 21–0.

Commissioner Paul Webb explained the financing arrangement and said the state comptroller reviewed and approved the lease-financing method. Webb noted the lease will increase the county’s debt load and cited an annual cost figure presented in the meeting materials: "...an annual cost of you'll see down here of $2,273,511.12 of the total 21,852,000," Webb said. The meeting materials list the equipment types and financing method; the county intends to fund the lease from unappropriated general-fund balance with lease payments over time.

Commissioners did not debate the equipment specifications at length in the public meeting. The sheriff’s office materials describe the package as including body cameras, interview-room cameras, tasers and related software and services that will be provided under a master services contract with Axon. The county comptroller’s approval was noted in the discussion as part of the financing approach.

The commission approved the resolution and the finance terms at the July 14 meeting. County staff and the sheriff’s office will proceed with contract execution and lease documentation as authorized.