The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is in line to get a new integrated public safety computer software system with several technological advances in records and system management programs.
Undersheriff Matt Houchlei, who made the request for the sheriff’s office Tuesday, was accompanied by Central Dispatch Director Stephanie Lehman and IT Director David Shinavier.
In April, the Central Dispatch Administrative Board approved purchasing the Zuercher platform for Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system at the same time as the sheriff’s office proposes buying one of its systems for its records.
“By upgrading in the same time frame, Barry County will not only save cost, but will allow the Barry County Sheriff’s Office to be on a compatible system with Central Dispatch that will improve efficiency responsiveness and service to the residents of Barry County.
“It will also continue to provide seamless information sharing between several of the other law enforcement agencies within Barry County,” Houchlei said in his agenda request.
The present jail records system by Superion is separate from Central Dispatch and will not supply any further updates, Houchlei said.
Following about 40 minutes of discussion with Houchlei and Lehman about the benefits of the change, and approval voiced by Shinavier, county commissioners recommended approving the purchase of CentralSquare Technologies Pubic Safety Software Solutions, powered by Zuercher software.
Central Dispatch and the sheriff’s office will have each other’s data immediately with an overall item number for each incident set by the software, instead of different numbers for different departments.
Routine updates will come directly from the cloud with click of a button, instead of physically downloading upgrades into individual laptops as is done now, and if a problem arises, 24 hour a day, seven days a week, a support person will answer the phone no matter what time of day or night it is, Houchlei said.
There is much more detailed information on pages three to 11 in the proposal from CentralSquare Technologies that covers more services and improvements the company provides that is available on the Barry County website in the “latest board packet."
Also to do with the sheriff’s office/jail, Building and Grounds Director Tim Neeb and sheriff’s Lieutenant Pete Nevins explained the need to replace the antiquated cooling unit at the jail for $40,722, from low bidder B&V Mechanical, Inc. in Wyoming.
Neeb also asked to replace the pump motor for $5,000 and $2,500 to replace Freon and contingency items that may come up during the project, for a total of $48,222 to come from the building and grounds fund.
The heat exchanger (built in 2009) and the condenser (2000) on the system that moderates the temperature in the main office and pre-1973 part of the jail is broken, and parts are no longer available.
Neeb said the problems with the heat exchanger would cost $30,000 to fix it with a refrigerant banned by the federal government, but still available.
Without the new system, which would be “absolutely more efficient,” it would be unbearable in the summer, adding, “It’s 80 degrees in the office now.”
In other business, the committee of the whole recommended:
*the 2020 budget calendar, with specific steps to be taken from May 7 to Oct.22 leading to the passage of the 2020 budget.
*the reappointment James French to a six-year-term on the Barry County Jury Board, recommended by Chief Judge William Doherty
*a resolution from MERS establishing which persons in the county sign contracts between MERS and the county, explained by Administrator Michael Brown.
*approval of the 2020 fiscal year Barry County Office of Community Corrections grant application to the Michigan Department of Corrections Office of Community Corrections, as requested by BCOCC Administrator Tami Price.
*approval to appoint Nelly Shephard to a three-year term on the Commission on Aging Board.
