Barry County approves $848,358 purchase and three-year financing for sheriff radios and cameras

The Barry County Board of Commissioners on June 24 adopted Resolution #25-18 to finance the replacement and upgrade of the sheriff's portable and mobile radios, in-car cameras and body cameras.

Under the resolution the county authorized financing for a purchase price of $848,358.73 and awarded a three-year installment purchase agreement to Highpoint Community Bank at an interest rate of 3.99 percent. The agreement calls for three annual principal payments, with the first principal and interest payment due Aug. 1, 2025, the resolution states. The county's resolution names Motorola Solutions, Inc. as the vendor and authorizes execution of the installment purchase agreement and related documents.

Why it matters: The purchase centralizes a large technology and safety upgrade for the Barry County Sheriff's Department. The board designated the obligation a limited tax general obligation subject to statutory and constitutional limits and designated the installment purchase as a "qualified tax exempt obligation" for purposes of Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, language included in the resolution.

Board action and approvals: The contract with Motorola/Chrouch Communications and a related grant submission to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority (MMRMA) to fund in-car and body cameras were approved as part of the consent items. The board also approved claims totaling $134,602.04 during the meeting. Consent items were moved by Commissioner Jon Smelker and seconded by Commissioner Marsha Bassett; the resolution was moved by Commissioner David Hatfield and seconded by Commissioner Marsha Bassett. Roll-call votes were recorded as Ayes: Bassett, Callton, Campbell, Hatfield, Jackson, Smelker and Teunessen; Absent: Catherine Getty.

Public input and commissioner remarks: During public comment, Rick Moore of Rutland Township and Scott Ware of Carlton Township both spoke in favor of the sheriff's office adopting body cameras for road deputies and corrections officers. Chair David Jackson thanked vendor representatives for attending meetings and helping answer questions as the board considered the purchase and finance package.

Next steps: The resolution authorizes the chair, clerk and treasurer to execute and deliver the installment purchase agreement and related documents in consultation with bond counsel and to deliver the contract to the bank and vendor. The clerk certified the resolution adoption on June 24, 2025.