Committee approves up to $85,000 for courtroom audio and recording upgrades

The Coffee County Capital Outlay Committee approved funding of up to $85,000 to update courtroom audio, amplifiers and the digital recording system used in the county’s courtrooms.

Jeanie Anthony, the circuit court clerk, told the committee that current recording systems date to 2007 and 2009 and that amplifiers purchased earlier are incompatible with the county’s recording hardware and create loud background noise near the judge’s bench. Anthony said the problems have affected jury trials’ audio clarity and courtroom mobility.

BIS (BIS Digital) provided a proposal for a cloud‑based recording and backup system; Jody Holland, a BIS representative, has met with county staff and judges, Anthony said. The proposal would update recording, provide ADA‑compliant hearing‑assist functionality and replace bulky amplifiers with smaller modern units. Anthony said BIS indicated an estimated 4–6 week installation window after award.

Commissioner Watkins moved to fund the project up to $85,000 so county staff could proceed; Commissioner Reed seconded the motion. Committee members asked staff to check whether the equipment is available on a Tennessee state contract (which would obviate a separate bid process); if not on state contract, staff will solicit competitive bids. The committee approved the motion.

Anthony said the county’s current maintenance arrangement would transfer to the vendor (BIS) and that Jody Holland indicated current maintenance could be maintained through 2026 without increasing the county’s maintenance costs. The clerk said the county’s data fund will not cover the full purchase because of recent other equipment purchases, so committee funding is necessary for the equipment purchase.