Clay County approves transfer of used body scanner to Ray County sheriff’s office

The Clay County Commission unanimously approved a cooperative agreement to transfer ownership of a used body scanner to the Ray County Sheriff’s Office, citing regional cooperation and Ray County’s needs.

Captain Amy Agderian of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the county purchased a new body scanner with a JAG grant and that the older unit remains functional. “The old body scanner… is still in workable condition,” Agderian said, adding that the new scanner’s smaller footprint freed needed space in Clay County’s detention facility.

Ray County’s sheriff, who spoke to the commission, described ongoing capacity and facility challenges in Ray County and said receiving the scanner would support efforts to bring housing of inmates back to the county. “Ray County… need a lot of help… To work with them and I’ve been working with the Ray County Commissioners as well as the sheriff… to get their jail updated,” he said.

Commissioners discussed whether to charge any fee for the transfer. “Anytime we surplus anything, if it has a usable life, there should be some value that we set to it,” Commissioner Wagner said, but added that law-enforcement agencies frequently transfer equipment between jurisdictions. Commissioner Johnson noted interagency sharing is common and often more useful than selling equipment for a small return.

The commission voted 6–0 to approve Resolution 20 25-43, which transfers the unit to Ray County at no or nominal cost to foster regional public-safety cooperation. Captain Agderian said staff will follow county procedures for surplus and transfer.

The transfer aims to support Ray County’s detention operations in the near term; commissioners said the device’s useful remaining lifespan is limited by software obsolescence and that the donation is a targeted, short-term aid rather than a long-term equipment solution.