The March 15 budget filing deadline is fast approaching for local municipalities and government’s Fiscal Year 2020. Recent agendas have been flush with non-profit requests for funding and with the presentation of departmental needs. At a recent Carroll County Board of Supervisor meeting, the Carroll County Attorney’s office was asked about the possibility of providing some funding for another project. County Attorney, John Werden, learned the collection and forfeiture fund has a balance over $60,000. Werden says a portion of that fund is typically allocated to other areas of law enforcement.
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The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was scheduled to present their budget later that morning. Chair, Neil Bock, noted this showed a significant increase in their investigative supplies category, for the proposed purchase of body and vehicle cameras. Werden says this would, frankly, be a benefit to his office.
Bock was asking that this conversation take place soon so the supervisors will know what dollar amount will offset that budget expense. Sheriff Ken Pingrey and Lt. Jon Cretsinger joined the meeting later. Cretsinger explained their situation and why they are proposing this change from their current equipment.
Pingrey adds this has become a big issue for his department and other local law enforcement.
Pingrey says the quote included the body cameras, in-car cameras and software. The WatchGuard quote came in at $59,105, half the price for an equal or better product. The systems will connect to a server when a deputy arrives on site and are automatically downloaded. The video is then accessible to the Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney. Details on the split in funding were requested to be reported to County Auditor, Kourtney Irlbeck, by Friday.
