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Anaconda-Deer Lodge County approves 10-year Verkada camera system to expand courthouse, jail and parks surveillance
Summary
After a detailed presentation and questions about monitoring and power backup, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted unanimously to approve a 10-year, $162,000 Verkada camera contract administered by Pine Cove Consulting to consolidate county camera systems for the jail, courthouse, parks and remote sites.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Commission voted unanimously to approve a 10-year Verkada camera system contract recommended by law enforcement and Pine Cove Consulting, commissioners said during their Feb. 17 meeting.
Detective Sergeant Ryan Heeman of the Anaconda Police Department described gaps in existing coverage and argued a unified system would help investigations and reduce liability. "We have multiple contracts for different agencies... we have over 27 cameras that watch the inmates," Heeman said, adding that outside areas, parks and portions of the courthouse currently lack reliable coverage. Heeman told commissioners the proposal would provide consistent access, 60–90 days of cloud storage and on-site redundancy so footage is not lost.
Representatives from Pine Cove Consulting and the vendor explained the $162,000 figure covers equipment, installation and a 10-year warranty; they said the county would pay the amount upfront and effectively amortize it at about $16,000 per year. Pine Cove's Keith Lash said, "There are 0 ongoing operational costs for the county for the next 10 year period," and said the vendor will replace failed equipment at no additional cost during the term.
Commissioners asked how monitoring and backups would work. Heeman said live monitoring would be routed to the county dispatch center and department administrators would receive access credentials. The vendors acknowledged power and Internet interruptions can take cameras offline but said cameras keep local recordings, and the system can be configured with UPS or generator backups where feasible.
County Attorney noted Montana has a state contract (NASPO AR-2472) that permits government pricing and can create an exception to the normal bidding requirement. The county attorney told the commission that use of that state contract allows the commission to act on the item without a separate bid process.
Commissioner Bodette moved to approve the proposal as presented; Commissioner Smith seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The county will proceed to finalize contract terms and the implementation plan; staff said installations could start as soon as weather and scheduling allow.
