Court approves safety equipment upgrades for sheriff’s department
The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting Monday with a short agenda on the docket.
The court approved purchase orders involving a grant agreement with the Rural Law Enforcement Salary Assistance Program Funds of Senate Bill 22 totalling $322,763.81.
Chief Deputy J.R. Peters appeared before the court saying the SB 22 grant funding can be used for salary raises or upgrades of safety equipment for the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office employees.
According to Peters, they looked at different options.
Peters said one of the items included the replacement of the tasers currently used by the department that are at least 10 years old or older.
This item includes purchasing 12 – Taser 10s that also includes training at a total of $73,743.81.
The second item, regarding the funding, includes replacing of in-car and body cameras.
Peters said the current cameras were purchased in 2021 and the officers have had problems turning them on and getting them activated.
The newer cameras would be EO Fives, which have been out in the market for two years.
Peters said the warranty is for three years on the software and a five-year warranty on the server.
The newer in-car and body cameras would allow an automatic download of everything that is on the cameras when the deputy pulls up to the office.
Peters said the cameras are purchased from Motorola and Victoria Communications would install the equipment.
The cost of the in-car and body cameras would be $136,426 and the installation cost is $10,600.
The final items of the funding involves the purchase of two Ford F-150 Police Responder trucks with four wheel drive suspension.
Peters said the cost of the two vehicles is $101,993.50 and would be purchased from Rockdale Country Ford.
Miscellaneous:
The court approved a bond for George Sierra as a transport deputy for the LCSO and jail.
The court approved a proclamation from Texas governor Greg Abbott, submitted on Wednesday, June 19, certifying that Tropical Storm Alberto posed a threat of imminent disaster, including widespread flooding, life threatening storm surge, damaging wind and heavy rainfall.
The proclamation included Lavaca County listed among 51 counties in the coastal bend and south and central Texas regions.
The county tax assessor-collector, Deborah A. Sevcik was approved as the county’s designated representative to calculate the 2024 No-New Revenue tax rate and the 2024 Voter-Approval tax rate.
In other action taken by the court:
Approved a lease agreement between the county and Matrix Petroleum.
• Approved all consent agenda items
County Judge Keith Mudd presided over the meeting with commissioners Edward Pustka, Wayne Faircloth, Kenny Siegel and Dennis W. Kocian present for the meeting.