Commissioners OK sheriff grants and equipment purchases including Motorola camera systems and tower security upgrades

The Van Zandt County Commissioners Court approved a package of law-enforcement funding and equipment measures, including establishment of budget accounts for recently awarded sheriff grants, two five-year Motorola Solutions contracts for vehicle camera systems (one for a patrol vehicle, one for a transport vehicle), and several ARPA-funded purchases for tower and dispatch security.

Staff explained the clicker-ticket grant requires adding new line items to the county budget so incoming funds and related expenses are tracked separately. The court approved creating those funds.

The court authorized a five-year contract with Motorola Solutions for an in-vehicle camera system for a new patrol vehicle and a similar contract for a jail transport/commissary vehicle; staff said the items are budgeted. The court also approved purchase of a spare dispatch computer and monitors ($3,463.12) to operate a critical spare dispatch console, funded from ARPA interest earnings.

In separate motions, the court authorized a $2,200 structural engineering study for a cell tower site and approved a $5,800 video-surveillance system and a $1,417.28 WatchGuard firewall for the Precinct 4 radio tower shelter, citing prior copper-theft losses and the need to protect communications infrastructure. The court discussed how the tower work will help coverage in the Van area near the high school and that carriers require structural verification before equipment installation.

All measures passed by voice vote; the courts directed staff to finalize contracts and accounting entries.