Henry County Sheriff seeks budget increase for camera system and salaries

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee submitted some budget increases for his department’s upcoming fiscal year, citing the need to replace aging body and in-car camera systems used by deputies. McNamee presented the proposal to the Henry County Board of Supervisors last Thursday, Jan. 23 as part of his annual budget presentation, emphasizing both the necessity and the rising costs associated with law enforcement technology.

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For nearly two decades, the sheriff’s office has relied on Digital Ally cameras to document deputies’ interactions with the public. However, the company’s service has declined as it seeks a buyer, leading the department to look for alternatives.

“They’ve been trying to sell it, I think, about a year and a half,” McNamee told the board. “Their customer service has grown atrocious.”

After evaluating several vendors, the sheriff’s office has selected GTAC to provide its new camera system. The transition will not be immediate, but McNamee said the department plans to update all deputy squad cars and body cameras at once for a smoother transition.

The upgrade will come with a price increase, as the department moves away from its in-house data storage to a cloud-based system.

“One car camera went from $5,000 per to $10,000 per, and you have to pay for the storage,” McNamee explained. “It’s approximately $250,000 for all hardware, all software, installation, and storage for that five-year period.”

To cover these costs, the sheriff’s office has negotiated a five-year financing agreement, requiring an annual payment of about $49,000. That represents a $47,000 yearly increase compared to previous expenses.

Despite the cost, McNamee stressed the necessity of maintaining reliable video evidence.

“I don’t really think we have a lot of choice unless we want to take on the liability of not having video footage, and I think that’s a terrible idea,” he said. “We definitely like the video. It’s a terrible idea not to have it.”

The sheriff also noted that law enforcement agencies across Iowa are making similar transitions, with many moving toward cloud-based storage despite its higher cost.

“Any vendor now, including Digital Ally, is moving toward cloud-based storage,” he said.

To ensure the department is making a sound investment, McNamee reached out to neighboring counties that already use GTAC, including Washington and Mahaska counties. Both sheriffs reported that while GTAC is not the highest-end option available, it offers the best balance of performance and affordability.

“They are not the top-of-the-line item, they’re not bottom-of-the-barrel either,” McNamee said. “They’re kind of above half.”

The shift to GTAC also will allow deputies to continue to upload footage efficiently. Currently, Digital Ally systems automatically transfer in-car footage when a deputy pulls into the sheriff’s office. The new system will function similarly, ensuring that evidence is backed up securely.

Body camera footage will either be wirelessly uploaded or manually transferred using a docking station, another improvement aimed at streamlining operations.

Another financial hurdle for the sheriff’s office is the loss of grant funding that previously helped offset the cost of in-car cameras.

“Normally, when we get cameras, we get reimbursement from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and they informed us that next grant year, which starts next October, they will no longer reimburse for car cameras,” McNamee said. “That’s a $10,000-a-year hit.”

The sheriff’s budget presented to the board for the upcoming fiscal year also includes funding to replace one patrol vehicle in the coming fiscal year, with a cost estimate of $44,800 for the vehicle itself and an additional $12,000 for installation of lights, sirens, and other law enforcement equipment. The department maintains a fleet of 15 vehicles, each requiring an estimated $4,000 per year for maintenance.

In addition to maintaining the department’s vehicles and cameras, McNamee also touched on salary concerns as he presented his budget.

“Our salaries are low,” McNamee said. “We are losing staff members on a regular basis because of our low pay. They’re going to neighboring counties and making anywhere from three to five dollars more an hour starting wage. So, I would hope you guys would consider that as you make your final decision.”

In the line item for salaries, McNamee said he didn’t know what to plug in, “So, I went with what the county Compensation Board recommended, which was 10%.”

The board is expected to review the full budget proposal and determine funding allocations in the coming weeks.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com