Trustees approve several expanded-level purchases including new software, taser replacements and digital-forensics tools

Trustees reviewed and approved a set of expanded-level budget requests ("pink sheets") during the Nov. 1 hearing that would add or replace tools and services outside core operating budgets. The items presented and approved by consensus included:

- Digital budget-book software (request: $40,000) to modernize public-facing budget presentation and reduce finance staff duplication; staff expects the eventual cost to be lower and plans implementation with the 2027 budget cycle.

- Axon taser replacement package for the police department, with a buyback offset of roughly $16,000 against a near-$57,000 purchase for officer safety equipment.

- Cellebrite forensic digital-extraction software to give the police department in-house capability for digital device data extractions and reduce delays from relying on neighboring agencies.

- Social-services case-management software to secure and manage client data (HIPAA considerations were discussed) at roughly $16,000 in recurring annual costs plus a one-time setup fee.

Board members asked about implementation timing, maintenance fees and lifecycle expectations; Director Smith noted that some first-year costs are covered by existing reserves and that net budget impacts were minimized through earlier procurements and remaining program funds.

Trustees expressed general support for these purchases; each pink-sheet item was presented with department justification and received a recorded consensus during the meeting's pink-sheet review.