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Commission approves Tracking Solutions for GPS monitoring under state domestic-violence law
Summary
After reviewing four proposals, commissioners approved a contract with Tracking Solutions to provide GPS monitoring required by the state27s Debbie and Marie Protection Act; the county discussed timing, defendant payment responsibilities and potential state law changes affecting funding.
Rutherford County commissioners approved a contract with Tracking Solutions to provide GPS monitoring for certain defendants subject to court orders under the Debbie and Marie Protection Act, after county staff reviewed four vendor proposals and recommended Tracking Solutions as the best match on evaluation criteria.
County staff explained the state law obligates counties to select providers that can place GPS monitoring devices for defendants charged with certain domestic-violence-related offenses; the RFP evaluated vendors on five categories including comparable agency experience, cost, staff qualifications, monitoring experience and 24-hour access for placement.
Eric Hennessy, county staff member, summarized four proposals: Tracking Solutions ($8 per day for GPS monitoring, $3 per day for an optional victim app), Tennessee Recovery and Monitoring (quoted $460 per month or $268 per two-week period), Alternatives to Incarceration ($8 per day), and Tennessee AMS ($9 per day, $2 per day for an optional victim app). Hennessy told commissioners that the law requires the defendant to contract and pay the vendor directly and that the bracelet must be placed before the defendant can be released when ordered by the court.
County officials and the sheriff27s representative expressed concern about prompt placement of devices at the jail. One speaker noted the county required vendors to provide placement within about an hour to avoid holding a person in custody beyond what the court ordered.
Staff recommended Tracking Solutions based on the evaluation criteria. A motion to approve the contract with Tracking Solutions passed on a roll call vote with commissioners recording affirmation. Commissioners also asked staff to gather data on potential county costs in case the state does not provide funding for indigent defendants; staff said several bills under consideration at the state legislature could change the law or funding in the next 30 to 45 days.
The contract directs the vendor to supply devices, provide timely on-site placement in the jail, and offer the optional victim notification app as an add-on. The county said the defendant will enter into a contract with the vendor and pay for monitoring; the county is not expected to pay unless the law changes.
