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Committee of the Whole recommends purchase and financing plan for sheriff’s radios, in‑car and body cameras
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Summary
The Barry County Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve a contract with Motorola/Chrouch Communications for replacement/upgrade of portable and mobile radios and the purchase of in‑car and body cameras, and to adopt a 3‑year installment purchase agreement with Highpoint Community Bank; the committee also recommended submitting an MMRMA grant to help fund the cameras.
The Barry County Committee of the Whole on June 17 recommended that the Board of Commissioners approve a contract with Motorola/Chrouch Communications to replace and upgrade the Sheriff’s Department’s portable and mobile radios and to purchase in‑car and body cameras. The committee also recommended a 3‑year Installment Purchase Agreement with Highpoint Community Bank to finance the purchases and authorized submission of a grant application to MMRMA to help fund cameras and data storage.
The procurement motion was moved by Commissioner Jon Smelker and seconded by Commissioner Bob Teunessen; the finance resolution recommendation was moved by Commissioner David Hatfield and seconded by Commissioner Marsha Bassett. Commissioner Catherine Getty moved, with Teunessen seconding, to recommend the MMRMA grant application. In each case the committee voted unanimously “aye.” The committee’s actions were recommendations to the full Board of Commissioners, not final approvals; the resolution language will be assigned at the Board meeting on June 24, 2025.
County Administrator Eric Zuzga raised the matter as part of the committee’s agenda; Sheriff Dar Leaf was present earlier in the meeting to introduce a newly hired corrections officer. Committee members described the equipment upgrade as a departmental priority; no alternate vendor proposals or procurement amounts were stated on the record.
The recommended financing is a three‑year installment purchase agreement proposed by Highpoint Community Bank; the resolution to accept that proposal will be listed by number at the June 24 board meeting. The committee also authorized staff to submit an application to MMRMA for grant funding to cover in‑car and body cameras and associated data storage. The transcript does not state the dollar amounts for the contract, the financing, or the grant request.
Next steps: the Committee of the Whole forwarded its recommendations to the Barry County Board of Commissioners for consideration at the board’s June 24, 2025 meeting. If the Board adopts the resolution and approves the contract, the Sheriff’s Department will move forward with procurement and installation under the terms to be negotiated and finalized at that time.