Ellis County OKs $9,600 trial purchase of Repath supervision app for bond clients

The Ellis County Commission on Jan. 6 approved a $9,600 transfer from opioid fund reserves to buy a Repath supervision application for court services, a purchase staff described as a one‑year trial to improve supervision of people released on bond.

District court administrator Mike Smith told commissioners the software would extend tools now used in recovery court to bond‑supervision clients, including regular photo check‑ins, location verification and exclusion‑zone monitoring. “What we’re asking for is the purchase of this Repath software,” he said, adding the county had seen success with the app elsewhere and that the purchase could reduce jail time by allowing earlier detection of violations. Chief court services officer Teresa Greenwood said Ellis County currently has 43 people on bond supervision; most are pending felony charges and “this would allow us to enforce the court ordered curfew.”

Commissioner Nathan Leiker moved to approve the transfer; a second motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. County staff said the $9,600 covers the first year at a discounted rate and that annual renewal would cost about $14,002.34; Smith said any future renewal would be considered in the regular budget process and, if added, would be requested for the 2027 budget. County legal staff noted the payment will be considered a trial and, if the tool does not deliver expected benefits, staff will not seek continued opioid‑fund support for a recurring expense.

The commission approved the transfer 3–0. Officials said they will ask Smith and Greenwood to report back mid‑trial with operational results and potential budgetary impacts so the commission can decide whether to continue funding after the discount year ends.