Sheriff Woodard requests technology, vehicles and detention funding in 2025–26 budget presentation

Sheriff Calvin Woodard presented the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office proposed 2025–26 budget to the Board of Commissioners, emphasizing technology, evidence processing, detention medical expenses and personnel support for K‑9 and tactical programs.

Woodard listed a series of capital and operating increases the office proposes for the coming year. Technology requests included additional batteries and infrastructure for body‑worn cameras, a stronger server for the office’s real‑time crime center (to handle camera and pole data), about 25 in‑vehicle or mobile printers to conform with the new e‑courts system, and replacement of vehicle cameras. He said some existing car cameras and Taser models are reaching end‑of‑life and require replacement or multi‑year contract options.

He proposed Flock Safety license/camera purchases and solar cameras for areas lacking internet service; search‑and‑rescue drones with payload and arm capability for swift‑water and recovery operations; and Axon virtual‑reality de‑escalation training to enhance officer decision making. Woodard described forensic and investigative services he would fund, including Parabon (snapshot DNA/forensic enhancement) and cellular extraction/analysis tools for timely data access under judicial orders.

On equipment and K‑9s, Woodard said one of the department’s explosive‑detection K‑9s (Tank) has cancer and asked to retire and replace the animal; he requested training gear (simulated firearms and protective equipment) and secure in‑vehicle vaults for K‑9 cars to store controlled items used in training and certification.

Woodard highlighted detention expenses as a primary driver of increased spending. He said inmate medical costs have risen and flagged both high medical bills and rising charges for off‑site hospital care; he reported the county scrubs bills (Prime Health) and submits Medicare claims when applicable but still expects higher detention medical spending. He cited juvenile housing costs as another growing line tied in part to the state’s "Raise the Age" implementation and said housing juveniles out of county has increased costs.

Woodard also reported success on nonoperational items: a roughly $100,000 grant from Best Friends supported a trap‑neuter‑vaccinate‑release community cat program that the office used to reduce intake and euthanasia at the animal shelter; he requested an increase to $20,000 in the community cat initiative line to continue vaccinations and sterilizations.

He asked for a small number of replacement patrol vehicles (he said at one point in the presentation he was requesting 45 vehicles during capital planning but later clarified only five vehicles would be requested in the current fiscal year), and for three‑year replacement cycles for mobile data terminals in patrol cars. Woodard also requested continued investment in inmate care, K‑9 program equipment and training facility considerations, and suggested the board consider funding an indoor range as part of a turnkey training facility design.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about where Flock cameras would be sited (Woodard said in strategic county “hot spots” and in some towns such as Black Creek), how specialized forensic equipment might be shared with state or federal partners, and the mechanics of vehicle and computer replacements. Woodard said some items are contract‑based with multi‑year options and described experience using the department’s existing camera and forensic tools in homicide and copper‑theft investigations.

Woodard’s presentation was informational; commissioners asked questions but took no formal vote during the item.