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Council approves license-plate readers but seeks clarity on recurring fees
Summary
Council approved up to $98,527 to buy automatic license-plate readers and cameras from GTBM Inc., but members pressed administration to lock in recurring costs for SIM cards and software (estimated up to $1,800/year for connectivity plus ~ $7,000/year software after year one).
Washington Township Council voted Aug. 11 to authorize the purchase of automatic license-plate readers (ALPRs) and video cameras from GTBM Inc. in an amount not to exceed $98,527.10. The purchase passed after discussion about ongoing costs and system integration.
Township Administrator DeCarlo told the council that the purchase price covers installation and the vendor's first-year software package, but recurring annual costs remain. "Every location where one of these ALPRs is gonna need a SIM card...it can range anywhere from $20 to maybe up to $50," DeCarlo said, noting a worst-case monthly cellular cost of about $150 per location if multiple SIMs are required. He also said the vendor's monitoring software (the "vigilante" program referenced in the packet) could cost just under $7,000 per year after the initial included term.
Council members expressed surprise that the ongoing software and connectivity costs were not identified during the capital-budget discussion. One member asked whether the county's network would absorb the software fees; administration replied the county hosts stored data and the interface but that the township would still be responsible for software licenses and connectivity. The vendor warranty is three years, DeCarlo said.
Council requested that administration seek multi-year pricing or locked-in rates for the SIM cards and software renewals and report back, before further expansion of the system. Despite the concerns, multiple council members said the cameras were warranted. "We need it," one council member said, citing increased regional traffic and development.
The resolution passed on roll call. Administration noted the first-year costs are within approved capital funding and flagged that next year's budget will require line items for software and SIM-card connectivity.
