Commissioners OK changes to Sheriff's Office dispatch and records system contract
Installation of a new dispatch and information system is progressing at the Richland County Sheriff’s Office — so much so that the contract with the provider has been tweaked to better reflect operational needs. County commissioners voted on Thursday to approve over $97,000 worth of “add-on” changes to the contract with Tyler Technologies of Plano, Texas, for a new computer-aided dispatch system for the county’s 911 operations that will provide better data input and easier access to stored information.
The $1.4 million project will allow a variety of call information to be inputted into the system and retrieved by participating safety service agencies in different ways, including laptop computers, tablets and cell phones. It also includes mapping tools so that screen information seen by dispatchers and first responders can include things such as unit position, road closures, missing person reports, vicious dog alerts and even crime statistics.
Sheriff’s Office Administrative Capt. Jim Sweat told commissioners the add-ons include an integration tool kit to allow more of an interface for outside services and an add-on for civil processes that will allow for a direct interface with online sites for tax and bank foreclosures. A third add-on involving mobile enforcement will enable the office to electronically file cases, citations, criminal summonses and other paperwork with Shelby Municipal Court.
There also is an enterprise corrections section that is different from one originally discussed with Tyler that will allow the jail division to create its own reports in whatever way administrators there want to do them.
“Some of them are for state, some of them for federal that we are mandated to have to file,” Jail Administrator Capt. Chris Blunk explained. “Another form is who we keep in jail. We want to keep that online where the public can check.”
One of the biggest tools that Blunk said is already available is a color-coded roster that involves all courts and provides information on inmates for things such as billing and bed space that will save compilation time for a supervisor.
Cost of software additions total over $97,000
Tyler Technologies began the factfinding and information-gathering phase of system design in March when Tyler came in and sat down and met with sheriff’s officials face to face for the first time. Sweat said there were some questions that they had going in about things that local officials weren’t sure how they would work.
“It’s of those things that you don’t know what you don’t know until you learn that you don’t know it,” Sweat said. “All of these add-ons are basically things that are going to make the process smoother.
The cost for the additions is $97,558, which includes $19,850 for the software. There also is a $10,000 annual maintenance fee.
Sweat emphasized that he was not asking the board for additional money.
“We already factored in that we were going to have some unknowns when we submitted our budget for contract services for the jail, 911 and law enforcement because of this project. This will stay within that margin of error we had when we submitted our original budget," he noted.
Sweat said the new computer-aided dispatch system is still scheduled to be on line in May of 2024. The jail system should be working two months later.
Dog Warden's Office to get new computer
In a related action, commissioners gave the OK to spend $1,409.97 to buy a computer and a signature capture for the county dog shelter to continue the process of making the shelter and the dog warden’s office paperless. Dog Warden Missy Houghton said the computer will be put in the shelter clinic to help keep track of medication schedules while the signature capture will help with the dog adoption process and make it paperless.
Earlier this year, commissioners agreed as part of the 911 CAD upgrade to put the dog warden’s office on the system and authorized the separate purchase of software that will computerize recordkeeping at the dog shelter. The recordkeeping software checks a dog from the time it is picked up and includes, medical records, owner and adoption information all the way in through the shelter so staff can track interactions with the dogs, including those with problem animals.
“Prior to this we had to rely on deputy knowledge or recollection to handle complaints and things of that nature or digging through mountains of paperwork,” Houghton said. “Now you can simply log on and see if you’ve dealt with this person or this address and it pulls up the incidents we’ve had there or if the dog is dangerous or has a history of biting and everything of that nature.”
Both Commissioners Tony Vero and Darrell Banks said they have seen the system at work and that it was excellent.
“More effective operation, paperless and at reasonable cost. Who could ask for more?” added Chairman Cliff Mears.
In other business, commissioners authorized the use of the front lawn of the courthouse for the third annual “Silent Watch” event on Sept. 16 to bring to public attention the escalating number of veteran suicides. The event will run from 7 a.m. to 5p.m. and include photographs and people standing watch over an empty, flag-draped casket.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Commissioners amend Sheriff's Office contract, OK Dog Warden computer
