Commissioners approve Datamax copier lease and move ahead on jail electrical/security upgrades

Freestone County commissioners approved a service and lease agreement with Datamax for a replacement copier/printer used by the sheriff's office and jail, and approved proceeding with a vendor for electrical and security system upgrades at the Freestone County Jail after comparing two quotes.

County staff described the existing copier as old and maintenance‑intensive and said the recommended contract is a 60‑month lease with maintenance. A commissioner said recent purchases through Datamax yielded better pricing than previous vendors. A motion to accept the Datamax service agreement was made and carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

For jail electrical and safety upgrades, two vendors submitted quotes. Officials said one quote was slightly cheaper but another included more integrated lighting and a lifetime warranty; after discussion the court recommended proceeding with the vendor judged to offer the best value for the system as specified. A motion and second to proceed were recorded and subsequently carried by voice vote.

The meeting record indicates these items were budgeted and funded through existing budgeted operations appropriations; county staff said the projects had been included in the adopted budget. Commissioners did not provide dollar totals for the awarded contracts in the transcript provided; staff are responsible for finalizing contract documents and executing the agreements.