County approves new security cameras and recording upgrade at Work Release Center
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Summary
The board approved replacement cameras and recording equipment for the Kosciusko County Work Release Center; total costs discussed were $27,250 for cameras and $60,000 for replacement recording equipment, with the sheriff offering $10,000 from the commissary fund.
The Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the sheriff to purchase new cameras and replace recording equipment at the county Work Release Center to expand storage capacity and improve regulatory compliance.
The sheriff described the current cameras as "old" and said the new system would allow the center to "run the loop for their recordings" so staff could retain footage for longer periods. County staff reported replacement recording equipment would cost $60,000 and replacing the cameras would cost $27,250. The sheriff told the board he was prepared to contribute $10,000 from the commissary fund toward the purchase; county IT budget funds were identified to cover the remainder.
Staff and commissioners discussed the technical benefits of the new system, including motion-sensing cameras that reduce continuous recording and thus require less storage. One county official said the system would align the Work Release Center with the jail's existing recording platform and make it more "user friendly" for staff to capture videos needed for regulatory purposes.
A motion to approve the purchase was made and seconded; commissioners approved the request by voice vote. The sheriff and county staff emphasized that the upgrade is needed to meet legal documentation requirements and to maintain required retention periods for video evidence.
The county did not provide a timetable for installation or a vendor name at the meeting; staff indicated costs are associated mainly with storage capacity required to meet retention rules.