Clarksburg City Council voted unanimously Jan. 2 to approve a five-year agreement with Accent Enterprise Inc. for the purchase of conducted-energy devices for the Clarksburg Police Department, with payments scheduled in five equal installments funded from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and ARPA interest.

Council action came after staff said the purchase required a sole-source approach because only one manufacturer was available through SourceWell, the cooperative purchasing contract cited by the city. Staff told council the package is an all-inclusive, five-year offering that includes training and consumables and that the city planned to use ARPA funds because no grants were available to cover the purchase.

City staff described two quoted total prices during the discussion. The council record shows earlier references to a $178,828 figure, but staff and the resolution as written referenced a final total of $180,364 that includes a two-day instructor course and other training. Council members agreed to authorize the higher figure in the resolution and said any smaller final invoice would be favorable to the city. The city manager said council previously allotted $19,000 and ARPA interest toward the purchase.

The agreement is structured as five equal payments, with staff indicating each installment would be billed in February of each year. Staff told council the five-year payment plan is not financing that increases the total cost but allows the city to retain ARPA funds longer to accrue interest before spending them.

The resolution passed on a voice vote with all members voting in favor.

Clarifying details from the meeting record: the vendor name is Accent Enterprise Inc.; the procurement used SourceWell as the cooperative purchasing vehicle; the resolution as written referenced $180,364 and includes training and a two-day instructor course; council previously allocated $19,000 in ARPA funds plus interest toward the purchase; payments will be made in five annual installments each February.