Sheriff Brad Howell updated the Board of County Commissioners on sheriff's office and jail activity, proposed budget adjustments and sought approval for a multi-year Taser contract and a training dummy system.

Howell reported 656 cases and calls for service in June, 16 accident reports, 62 warrants served, 192 civil papers served, and 2,677 transport miles covering 11 trips and 13 people. Jail statistics showed an average daily population of 48.97 for June with a high of 58 and low of 41; the jail logged 174 bookings that month.

On program activity, Howell said 113 participants were enrolled in the 24/7 supervision program (including SCRAM bracelet and remote breath monitoring categories) and the sheriff's office recently completed a three-day Sheriff's Academy for youth in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.

Howell presented budgetary proposals across the sheriff and jail lines, including a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for wages, a 10% assumed increase in health insurance and increases in repair/maintenance and equipment lines to fund vehicle repairs, body/car cameras, license-plate-reader (LPR) technology and vests.

The board approved two purchases requested by Howell. Commissioners voted to accept a five-year contract with Axon for Taser devices covering 14 units and associated training and consumables for a total contract price of $73,759.60. Howell described contract benefits including a five-year warranty, training cartridges and automatic resupply of live cartridges. "It comes with unlimited live cartridges. So if we expend a cartridge, they'll automatically send us new cartridges," Howell said. The board recorded a motion by Commissioner Gable, seconded by Commissioner McElhaney, and approved the contract by voice vote.

The board also approved purchase of a Cuffman arrest-and-control tactics training system for $6,156.25, which the sheriff said would let staff conduct less-injurious takedown and Taser training on a vested training dummy and reduce the number of staff needed to conduct some exercises. Commissioners moved and seconded that purchase and approved it by voice vote.

Howell and commissioners discussed recurring costs for fuel and existing vehicle repairs; Howell said a vehicle in the fleet is currently receiving major engine work. Commissioners asked for more documentation on some contracts and asked staff to circulate contract copies to the board.

No changes to policy or personnel were approved at the meeting beyond the equipment and contract purchases; the sheriff's office indicated the taser payments would be budgeted across sheriff and detention lines.