Whitfield County ratifies opioid settlement participation, approves Axon camera contract and premium pay

Whitfield County commissioners voted Dec. 14, 2021 to ratify participation in a statewide memorandum of understanding related to national opioid distributor and Johnson & Johnson settlements and to approve equipment purchases for the sheriff’s office.

The board approved a resolution authorizing Whitfield County to be bound by the State of Georgia memorandum of understanding concerning settlement agreements with national distributors and Johnson & Johnson; the action directs county execution of the required acknowledgement and agreement (motion by Commissioner Greg Jones, seconded by Commissioner Robby Staten; approved 4-0).

The board also approved two $2,500 premium-pay payments, to be made in December 2021 and February 2022, to sheriff deputies, firefighters and 911 staff to recognize service during the COVID crisis and support retention (motion by Commissioner Robby Staten, seconded by Commissioner Barry W. Robbins; approved 4-0).

Separately, the board approved a five-year contract with Axon for in-car and body-worn camera systems across the sheriff’s office. The contract total in the transcript is $1,168,043 with an option to pay the first two years in advance for a discounted upfront payment of $437,217; annual costs were described in the transcript as $243,608 compared with the county’s current maintenance cost of $107,627. The board indicated it would use ARP reimbursement for part of the cost. The motion carried unanimously; the transcript lists Commissioner Robby Staten as the mover and does not consistently record the seconder.

The board approved these items unanimously and adjourned with no public comment.