Commission explores phone‑based monitors, GPS and past vendor Sierra Wireless for scalable monitoring

During the work session commissioners and staff reviewed monitoring hardware options and a previously discussed vendor model that could reduce upfront capital needs.

Officer Allred described county‑owned equipment costs (remote breath about $800; GPS about $700) that the county reserves for in‑county cases, and said smartphone‑hooked devices are growing in popularity because replacement costs are lower. Allred also recalled a past vendor, Sierra Wireless, that offered a Verizon‑based, scalable rental model that charged roughly a small periodic fee per device with optional spares; a meeting participant said the solution had been "cheap" and scalable (SEG 585–616; SEG 663–671).

Staff and commissioners discussed the tradeoffs: vendor rental models reduce capital expense but can carry replacement or insurance fees for lost/damaged devices; county‑owned devices require purchase but retain local control. The commission asked staff to pursue more information and reported interest in an accountant and staff collaboration to examine options.