Body cameras for all Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies will be discussed Monday by the Bartholomew County Council, the first time they have been considered since 2017.
Sheriff Matt Myers, who describes body cameras as a “non-negotiable priority” for the department, is expected to request a $284,238 additional appropriation this year to acquire the cameras, Bartholomew County Chief Deputy Auditor Dalene Pattingill said. During the next four years, approximately $127,000 would have to be spent annually, bringing the total cost to $792,238, Pattingill said.
Since Myers and his staff are still working on their proposal, Bartholomew County Auditor Pia O’Connor said she isn’t sure whether additional funds will be necessary for information technology support, as well as data storage.
However, that matter should be cleared up for the council on Monday by Myers and his staff, who are still working on their presentation, O’Connor said. The work session is not a formal meeting, so no votes or decisions can be made Monday by the council.
Although local public support for body cameras appears strong, county commissioner Larry Kleinhenz said plans must be carefully made regarding how the county will pay both immediate and ongoing costs.
“This is not a one-time purchase,” Kleinhenz said. “This is going to be a new, additional expense that will have to be worked into the ongoing public safety budget.”
Three years ago, there was support for body cameras from the Bartholomew County Council, and Kleinhenz said he assumes a degree of support remains today.
However, O’Connor suggested a poor economy might convince a number of council members that now is not a good time for such an investment.
Financial projections indicate income tax revenue for Bartholomew County government may fall next year by about 15%, while the same type of revenue for county road work could drop by around 18%, O’Connor told the commissioners Monday.
As of early June, Bartholomew County government had $4.2 million in reserve. In addition, some discretionary income may be available from property tax revenues, the auditor said.
Both the council and commissioners anticipate the most significant drop in revenue will begin in 2022. A number of efforts are already underway to save as much money as possible for the long term, county officials said.
The council has directed departments not to increase budgets for next year.
While a hiring freeze has not yet been enacted, county administrators have been told funding for new employees may not be available if there is insufficient revenue next year. Further discussion regarding a potential hiring freeze is expected to take place on Monday.
Department heads have been told not to request raises in next year’s budgets, which are being submitted to O’Connor’s office this week.
Funding for courthouse improvements allocated for 2021 has been reduced from $1 million to no more than $300,000.
The commissioners have decided to hold onto the remaining money allocated for courthouse repairs for now, Kleinhenz said.
“We want to hold off for a year or two, and see how the finances play out,” he said.
Additional revenue forecasts from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance will be presented to the Bartholomew County Council on Monday, O’Connor said.
While these estimates may be rough, O’Connor warned the commissioners that “we have a lot of challenges going forward.”
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Due to health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the public will not be permitted to attend Monday’s work session of the Bartholomew County Council in person.
However, those who wish to watch and listen to the 6 p.m. meeting should request an invitation to the Zoom video conference of the meeting. A number of council members have been using Zoom to participate in recent meetings.
Requests for an invitation to the Zoom meeting should be made by contacting the Bartholomew County Auditor’s office at 812-379-1510.
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