Black Hawk County considers accelerating sheriff’s firearms purchase; staff outline Axon financing timeline

Jason Sorensen, chief deputy, told supervisors the sheriff’s office is on schedule to replace departmental firearms and move to a red-dot optic system and related holsters and adapter kits. The previous five‑year plan budgeted $50,000 for the replacement, but Sorensen said rising prices and personnel turnover increased needs; the sheriff requested approximately $80,000 to cover weapons, holsters, lights and adapter kits after accounting for estimated trade-in value (Sorensen estimated trade‑in could reduce gross cost by about $27,000).

Sorensen said the department prefers ordering sooner rather than later because manufacturer lead times could be eight months, and a timely, single purchase avoids staggered qualifications and training complications. Board members asked about procurement steps, payment timing, vendor selection and whether a budget amendment or earlier capital allocation would be required; staff said those details would be worked out during upcoming budget meetings and that the manufacturer and trade‑in process have historically been flexible.

Separately, finance staff reminded the board that the county funded the first five years of a 10‑year Axon body‑camera agreement using designated replacement (ARPA) funds; the annual payment was presented at roughly $212,000 and staff said the ARPA-designated funds will cover the first five years (through fiscal 2029), after which the county must decide how to fund the remaining five years beginning fiscal 2030. The sheriff’s firearms request and the Axon financing timeline were discussed in the context of the broader capital and operating budget deliberations.

No formal appropriation or accelerated purchase authorization was approved at the meeting; supervisors asked staff to return with procurement specifics and possible budget adjustments.