Council concurs with commissioners on camera renewal; approves replacement monitors for county use

Starke County Council heard presentations on two public-safety technology items: a one-year renewal for investigative license-plate camera services and a multi-payment procurement for medical/monitor monitors that are due to be retired.

Speaker 9 summarized the camera renewal, describing the system as an investigative tool used by law enforcement with policies that limit searches and a 30-day data retention period. He told the council the opioid board and the county commissioners had approved the renewal and that the county’s concurrence was requested; the renewal was presented as roughly $33,000 for the year (about $3,300 per camera for 10 stationary cameras, plus a mobile unit). Speaker 9 said agency rules and an audit trail (Flock) restrict who may run license-plate queries.

Separately, Speaker 10 explained that existing monitors would ‘‘time out’’ in December and outlined negotiations to reduce price and structure payments; after bargaining the presenter reported a multi-payment purchase plan to finance replacement monitors. Council members asked whether bidding and procurement rules had been followed and how payments would be scheduled. The presenter said only two manufacturers make the required monitors and that competitive quotes had been sought; members discussed using opioid-settlement funds for the cameras and other appropriate restricted sources for monitors.

The council voted by voice to concur with the commissioners on the camera renewal and approved the monitor procurement as presented, with the caveat that department staff confirm funding sources and procurement documentation would be provided to the county auditor and clerk.

Next steps: Staff will provide contract copies, procurement documentation and funding-source verification to the clerk and the council ahead of payment steps.