Sherman County approves sheriff’s software and key‑fob upgrades, gifts outgoing officers

Sherman County commissioners on Monday authorized a software security update for the sheriff’s dispatch system and approved installing a county‑wide key‑fob access system at the jail, and they voted to present weapons and badges to outgoing Sheriff Pinalto and Under Sheriff Varney as tokens of appreciation.

A representative of the sheriff’s office told the board the vendor identified as Interpol lehi provides the dispatch software and that the version in use contains vulnerabilities that require an update to the newest release; the representative said the required work affects both sites and identified a cost discussed in the meeting record. Commissioners moved to approve the update and voted unanimously to authorize the work.

The board also reviewed an updated quote from Nextech to convert the sheriff’s building to the county key‑fob system so the jail would be on the same access network as other county sites. The Nextech proposal was described in the record as $38,937.98; a commissioner moved to approve the Nextech quote, the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote.

Separately, a motion to present the retiring sheriff and under sheriff with their service weapons and badges as a token of appreciation was moved and passed. The record shows some tension during the discussion: a deputy raised concerns about the county’s firearms inventory and whether past inventories had been completed; that exchange led commissioners to say they would review inventory records before any broad disposals or transfers of equipment.

The board also addressed custody of a county dog used for law‑enforcement training and operations. After a description of the dog’s history and training, commissioners voted to allow the handler to retain the dog.

The board’s approvals were routine motions recorded by voice vote; commissioners said they will review the departments’ inventory listings before finalizing disposals or other transfers of firearms or equipment.

The board took these actions as part of a broader set of routine public‑safety and personnel items on its agenda and did not announce additional related expenditures at the time of the vote.

Ending: The county said it will follow up by reviewing firearms and equipment inventories and proceed with the authorized IT and access upgrades through the regular procurement process.