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Coryell County court weighs $192,000 eForce software purchase against hiring two deputies
Summary
As part of FY2026 budget amendments commissioners reviewed a one-time $192,000 eForce software purchase (plus maintenance) versus recurring costs of two new deputy positions; public commenters and commissioners split on which better serves county safety and finances.
Commissioners and county staff debated whether to fund a one-time implementation of a new records/records‑management and dispatch platform (referred to in the record as “eForce”) or to allocate funds for two additional deputy positions as part of the FY2026 budget amendments.
Unidentified Budget Presenter (Speaker 2) summarized the comparison: "The eforce cost is $1.92," citing that number as the onetime implementation expense, and said an annual maintenance fee would follow. He contrasted that with an estimated $120,000 annual cost for two deputies (salary and benefits), noting the deputies’ equipment and vehicle costs were not included in the $120,000 figure.
Public commenters and several commissioners weighed both sides. Supporters of eForce argued the system would deliver countywide efficiency and lower long‑term maintenance costs for multiple legacy systems; opponents said two deputies would provide visible patrols and faster response in outlying areas. One commissioner and staff noted potential partial offsets: a $50,000 transfer from the pretrial diversion fund and $40,000 out of records-management funding were discussed as possible sources to soften the one‑time hit.
Staff estimated that including the eForce purchase and the two deputies in the amended budget would raise first‑year costs by an amount that translates to approximately $4.48 per household, based on the median household figure used in the state's required tax-rate calculation. Staff also cautioned that some assumed interlocal contributions toward deputies (an amount cited informally around $60,000) had not yet been documented.
No procurement or hiring decision was finalized at the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to reflect the debated options in the amended proposed budget and to prepare messaging explaining the need for the investment if the court adopts the eForce purchase. The court scheduled further public hearings on the amended budget and tax rate for Sept. 23.
