The Bartholomew County commissioners are seeking bids for car cameras and body cameras for Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputies.
By a unanimous vote, the three county commissioners agreed to seek bids from different suppliers for the 57 body cameras and 54 car cameras. All of the cameras are manufactured by the Scottsdale, Arizona-based Axon Enterprise, Inc.
Sheriff Matt Myers thanked the commissioners for their assistance in getting the cameras approved.
Commissioner chairman Carl Lienhoop announced bids will be due in the commissioners’ chambers no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17.
The total cost for all cameras, as well as amenities such as unlimited cloud storage, hardware upgrades training and warranties, is estimated at more than $800,000 over the next five years.
When the seven-member council first discussed the camera purchases during their July 6 work session, most members said they didn’t think the county could afford such a large, long-term investment in light of the recent economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic and high unemployment.
But one week later during the council’s formal meeting, the commissioners offered to transfer up to $700,000 for the body cameras. Those funds had earlier been appropriated for exterior upgrades at the Bartholomew County Courthouse.
Since that money had already been appropriated — and no new money would be required — the council approved $230,238 to pay for the first year of a five-year agreement.
Additional first-year expenses approved by the council include a one-time $50,000 installation charge, as well as $28,500 to purchase a full module installation for the county’s Information Technology Department.
However, council members will have to vote to pay an additional $127,000 every year from 2021 through 2024 to fulfill the agreement with Axon, county auditor Pia O’Connor said.
