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Caswell County OKs Cosquare rental policy and $21,236 camera purchase
Summary
The Caswell County Board of Commissioners approved a Cosquare facilities use policy and fee schedule and authorized a $21,236.48 camera purchase to support rentals, while discussing whether political rallies should be allowed under the policy.
The Caswell County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a facilities use policy and fee schedule for the Cosquare venue and to authorize the purchase and installation of security cameras costing $21,236.48, using funds available in the 2025 budget.
The policy presented to the board includes a list of prohibited events that, as written in the packet, covers “political rallies or events endorsing specific candidates or parties.” County Manager Scott Whitaker told commissioners the item was ultimately a political decision for the board because, he said, legal counsel had found arguments on either side and that if the county allowed such events it would have to apply rules uniformly to all renters. “If you allow it, the recommendation would be to treat them all the same,” Whitaker said during the discussion.
Commissioners also discussed security and operational concerns for Cosquare rentals. Whitaker asked that, if the board approved the policy and fee schedule, the county wait to begin rentals until the cameras are installed; he said the vendor and camera configuration were the IT department’s preferred option and that funds for that purchase were available in the current budget. The manager presented the camera price to the board as $21,236.48 and stated the purchase was exempt from the three-bid requirement because it was the IT department’s preferred configuration.
Commissioner Totten moved to approve the Cosquare policy and fee schedule and to authorize the cameras; a second motion was made and the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes. The manager said he will withhold rentals until the cameras are installed and invoices are submitted.
The policy adoption resolves a recurring discussion the board has held over multiple meetings about permitted uses at Cosquare and how to balance rental revenue with community standards and public-safety concerns.
The county will next schedule the camera procurement and the manager will notify the board when installation is complete; the policy will take effect as enforced by county staff once security measures are in place.
