Sheriff’s office seeks new security cameras, 2 vehicles

After talking about the new roof project for the county jail office, where the hope is the project will begin within the next two weeks, the discussion turned to a pair of other pressing issues, the first being security cameras in both the Holmes County Courthouse and government building on Clinton Street and the other being the proposed purchase of a pair of new sheriff’s office vehicles.

Holmes County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matt Jamison collected a quartet of cost projections for the courthouse and Clinton Street security camera proposal, and while two of those proposals came in higher, two were cost competitive. The county will explore the best option for moving forward with the projects.

Say Security Group out of Ada, Ohio presented a proposal of $48,180.67 for the courthouse security system and one of $45,576.88 for the Clinton Street property. That total came to $93,757.55.

Holmes County company Telektronics offered proposals of $50,033.71 and $34,630,73, respectively, for a total of $84,664.44.

While each company offered lower pricing for the two jobs, the county commissioners felt it wanted to go with one company to complete both projects.

“It would be up to (the commissioners) to choose whether to split them up, but I prefer to go with one,” Jamison said. “But both projects are fairly costly, so I could see it happening over a couple of years.”

Jamison said if the county were to prioritize one project over the other, he suggested prioritizing the courthouse project over Clinton Street.

According to Holmes County Sheriff’s Office deputy Richard Haun, the courthouse has three security cameras that are currently out of commission.

“It’s not a pressing security risk,” Haun said. “Generally, we can swap them around a little and make it work, taking one that isn’t in need and swapping the cables around.”

“It seems like every day there is something new with the courthouse,” Jamison said.

Both projects would include the replacement of cables and the security hardware. He said the current courthouse cameras were installed in the 1990s, and replacing them is not uncommon.

He also said technology has created some nice upgrades that would enhance the security capabilities, noting they have never had a full upgrade.

“This would give us a little bit more of an advantage for remote access to both places,” Haun said. “With new technology, if we have an issue somewhere, we can get online and see what’s going on and have some advance idea of what is taking place and what the issues might be.”

Commissioner Joe Miller asked about maintenance, and Jamison said each company had its own subcontractors who are fairly local who could deal with any issues.

The commissioners agreed it might be a matter of completing the courthouse project prior to that of Clinton Street, and Jamison said he would have to inquire from either company if completing the first project would even be a feasibility this year.

Commissioner Dave Hall inquired about the necessity to work in tandem with the upcoming proposed courthouse lighting project the commissioners have on tap.

Commissioner Miller said he would like to remain local when agreeing upon which company to use, if possible.

Hall said the county could use casino funds to support the project, and Jamison said he would like to pursue getting refreshed quotes from each company since these are somewhat dated.

Haun then turned his attention to the need to acquire the two police vehicles. He said they are down one vehicle due to an accident, with that one receiving replacement value of $8,000, which he said the county should receive soon from the insurance company.

The other is to replace an aging vehicle in its fleet.

He said the department did purchase a new transport vehicle this year because the former transport didn’t have air-conditioning and heating in the back where the prisoners are seated, and they often make long trips transporting prisoners that take several hours.

Haun said they are exploring purchasing either a Dodge Durango or Ford Utility vehicle, depending on both availability and price. He said both range from $45,000-$48,000 apiece.

He said in the past the sheriff’s office has purchased vehicles they have split with the county, and the county has purchased multiple vehicles.

“Our request is that (the county) would purchase two vehicles, if possible,” Haun said.

Hall said the commissioners would agree to purchasing both vehicles.