Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kay County commissioners table proposal to use opioid-abatement funds for patrol dashcams
Summary
Sheriff Steve Kelley asked the Kay County BOCC to pay for new patrol dashcam systems from Opioid Abatement Funds, citing outdated equipment; commissioners tabled the request Jan. 5 pending auditor confirmation about fund eligibility.
On Jan. 5, 2026 the Board of County Commissioners of Kay County tabled a proposal from Kay County Sheriff Steve Kelley to use Opioid Abatement Funds to purchase new patrol-unit dashcam equipment.
Sheriff Steve Kelley said the department’s current dashcam system "is approximately ten years old, outdated, and no longer repairable" and recommended buying new equipment outright to realize an estimated $25,000 savings. District Attorney Brian Hermanson said "approximately $300,000 is currently available in the Opioid Abatement Fund" but stressed that the money is earmarked for allowable purposes and that the auditor must confirm permissibility before funds are released. County Clerk Tammy Reese said she "would feel more comfortable if the auditors were contacted prior to using the Opioid Abatement Funds." Commissioners Shane Jones and Jeff Kreger moved and seconded tabling the proposal; the motion carried unanimously.
The tabling leaves the purchase request open pending formal review by the county auditor to determine whether the dashcam purchase qualifies under the settlement funds' allowable uses. The record shows the Sheriff and the District Attorney had not yet consulted the auditors before the Jan. 5 meeting.
Next steps: the board tabled the matter to allow auditor review and potential rescheduling of the request at a subsequent meeting.
