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Commissioners approve sheriff’s body‑worn camera contract and vehicle purchases; staffing proposal tabled
Summary
The board approved a five‑year BodyWorn contract with Utility Associates, Inc. totaling $378,780 and authorized two vehicle purchases; a proposal to create a Sex Offender Registry/Civil Paper Service Officer died for lack of a second and will be researched further.
Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter and County Attorney Gregory Schnarr presented a five‑year BodyWorn contract from Utility Associates, Inc. for $378,780; the commissioners voted to approve the contract and authorized the sheriff or his designee to sign on the county's behalf.
Chief Deputy Jesus Monarrez asked the board to approve new patrol vehicles. The board approved purchasing one 2025 Dodge Durango Pursuit from Washington Chrysler and one 2025 Chevy Tahoe from Fort Wayne Kelly Chevrolet, trading in four older vehicles; additional funding was noted as necessary to outfit the vehicles. Monarrez also received approval to select and purchase an additional vehicle using the Sheriff’s Strikeforce Fund to replace two older civilian vehicles.
Monarrez requested authorization to hire two deputies (a road sergeant and a detective) previously created while awaiting a COPS grant that was not awarded. He also proposed creating an administrative position titled Sex Offender Registry and Civil Paper Service Officer as a civil service special deputy to handle registry duties and service of process. Commissioner Serice Stenftenagel moved to create that position, but the motion died for lack of a second; Commissioner Nick Hostetter requested further research and no additional action was taken.
All recorded motions on contracts and vehicle purchases carried unanimously; the staffing and new-position proposal did not move forward.
