Mills County commissioners on Oct. 27 approved a request for proposals to replace and standardize law-enforcement cameras and related door-lock systems at county facilities, setting a bid deadline of Jan. 9, 2026, and public bid opening on Jan. 12, 2026.

The court heard a presentation from David Sons, who said the RFP largely follows an earlier draft but includes added requirements the county asked for during the review. "We're going to use the same RFP, change the dates and provide a timeline," Sons said. Commissioners asked staff to advertise the notice in the county newspaper starting Nov. 5 so the statutory notice and publication deadlines will be met.

Commissioners discussed technical preferences included in the RFP. The draft adds a 180-day minimum retention period for recordings, and scores proposals that meet or exceed that retention. Commissioners and staff also emphasized a preference for non-proprietary, interoperable door and access-control systems so the county does not become locked into a single vendor. Sheriff Jones and county IT staff said walk-throughs with short-listed proposers will verify door-system compatibility and system-level requirements.

The RFP timeline presented to the court calls for advertisement the week of Nov. 5, vendor questions and walk-throughs in November/December, proposals due Jan. 9, 2026, and opening in commissioners court Jan. 12, 2026. A two-week review period for scoring and evaluation was included; the county will use an external consultant to assist with technical scoring.

The motion to approve the RFP carried by voice vote. The court did not approve a vendor; it only authorized publishing the RFP and beginning the procurement process.