Roanoke Rapids approves $31,000 LiveScan purchase after new state background-check rule increases demand

Roanoke Rapids — The City Council on a voice vote approved Ordinance No. 2026.17 to allocate $31,000 to replace the police department’s LiveScan fingerprinting machine, which staff said has exceeded its usable lifespan and can no longer be covered by vendor maintenance.

“We need to get it replaced,” Police Chief Wiggins said, explaining that the LiveScan unit is essential for local fingerprinting and that vendor maintenance is no longer available. He told the council the machine had begun failing and replacement is the only viable option at this time.

The request tied urgency to the recent state law known in the packet as HB 612, which staff described as requiring SBI background checks for applicants who would work with children. Chief Wiggins and council members said the law, effective Oct. 1, 2025, increased the number of fingerprint checks local departments must support, meaning the city can’t wait until the next fiscal year to replace the equipment.

Mayor Pro Tem Bryant moved to adopt the ordinance on the floor; the motion was seconded and the council approved it by voice vote. Council discussion emphasized that the LiveScan is a required piece of equipment for police operations and that Parks & Recreation and other departments also rely on local fingerprinting services for employee and volunteer screening.

Ordinance No. 2026.17 covers the one-time capital purchase; staff said the existing budget contains maintenance contract funding but not a replacement. Chief Wiggins said replacement is a critical need so the department can continue to provide fingerprinting services locally.

Next steps: the ordinance was adopted and staff will proceed with procurement to replace the LiveScan machine.