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Commissioners approve $460,000 Justice Center IT package but delay purchase of new metal detector
Summary
Lincoln County commissioners authorized $460,000 for network infrastructure and other sheriff equipment for the new Justice Center, delaying only the purchase of a new metal detector after debate and a phone call from Sheriff Swenson, who warned the existing unit is near end of life.
Lincoln County commissioners voted to approve most purchases for the new Justice Center, including a $460,000 information‑technology package to provide network infrastructure, Wi‑Fi and a firewall, but removed a proposed new metal detector from today's approval after debate and input from the sheriff.
Jake, a member of the sheriff's office staff, told the board the IT purchases "will include all of the network infrastructure" and that his "purchases came up to the total of $460,000" with a five‑year warranty and security updates. He warned that prices had risen rapidly and that long lead times could delay completion: he said a server purchase could add about "$100,000" later.
The board's decision matters because the IT system will connect cameras, access control and court systems at the new facility and provide public Wi‑Fi, which Jake said the county is now required to offer at courthouses by law. Commissioners asked whether the bond that funded the courthouse covers the cost; Jake and other speakers confirmed the expense is within the bond budget.
The more contested item was whether to relocate an existing metal detector from the old courthouse or buy a new, more advanced unit. Public commenters and commissioners noted the county already has a metal detector in use and asked whether it could be moved. Drew Groseth of the State's Attorney's Office explained that vendor quotes included both an equipment‑only option and a pricier option that includes assembly, and that county staff might perform installation to avoid the extra fee.
Sheriff Swenson joined the meeting by phone and said the detector at the current courthouse was "pretty close to its end of life," that it is about "20 years old" and that "there is no warranty, there is no repair to it. So, when it goes down, we are done." Based on that assessment the sheriff recommended replacement, but commissioners opted to approve the IT and most sheriff equipment now while taking the metal detector off the immediate approval so the county can revisit it without delaying other ordered equipment.
The motion to approve the Justice Center IT infrastructure and the listed sheriff purchases, excluding the metal detector, passed on a roll call vote. Commissioners emphasized they wanted to avoid delaying IT work because lead times could push installations into next year. The board said the metal detector purchase can be brought back for a future vote if needed.
