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Somerset County authorizes AXON body-camera service; finance plan shifts Sheriff/Jail budget to cover net cost
Summary
Commissioners approved Resolution 24-177 authorizing the sheriff to move forward with an AXON body- and vehicle-camera service contract. Finance Director Patrick Dolan said the county can cover an estimated $44,000 annual net increase by reallocating existing Sheriff and Jail budget savings; grant funding is also being pursued.
The Somerset County Commission on Sept. 4 authorized the sheriff to proceed with a service contract with AXON for body and vehicle cameras under Resolution 24-177.
Finance Director Patrick Dolan told commissioners the county is working on the assumption of a $100,000 annual contract. Dolan said $56,000 is currently budgeted for Watchguard cameras and software, which would be replaced by AXON products, leaving an approximate $44,000 net increase to be covered from savings in the Sheriff’s Office and Jail budgets. "Currently $56,000 is budgeted for Watchguard cameras and software, which would be replaced by AXON products so the net increase to the County would be approximately $44,000 annually," Dolan said in the meeting minutes.
Sheriff Dale Lancaster said he is also pursuing grant funding to offset costs, and that the contract will provide for both vehicle and body cameras. Commissioner Joel Stetkis noted the technology "should result in savings in overtime and overall stress on the deputies." Commissioner John Alsop asked whether the district attorney’s office had discussed the use of artificial intelligence to draft initial reports; Sheriff Lancaster said they had been in conversation with the DA.
Commissioner Scott Seekins moved to authorize the Sheriff to move forward with the AXON contract; Commissioner John Alsop seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
The decision directs the Sheriff to proceed with contracting and to continue pursuing grants; no implementation timeline was specified in the minutes.
