Police Dept. Will Upgrade Software
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WATER VALLEY – Aldermen approved the purchase of a new software system that will allow police officers to access driver’s licenses, license tags and other information directly from the patrol car. The system will cost $16,200 annually and also merges the police department’s reporting system with the city’s court system.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum explained to city officials that the reporting system will allow his department to move to electronic tickets, which enables an officer to enter information into a computer in the cruiser and print out the citation. This information will be integrated with the court system, eliminating duplicated work.
Mangrum first pitched the upgrade during the city’s February meeting, noting that the cost of the system is substantially more than as the current system utilized by his department, which costs $3,708 annually. The purchase was approved unanimously by aldermen following additional discussion during the March 2 meeting. The purchase also spawned discussion about funding sources including approval of assessing a $25 fee technology fee for all misdemeanor traffic convictions.
The chief noted that the new system will reduce the work load for the county’s dispatchers and recommended that the city renegotiate the annual contract with the county to dispatch for his department.
“Are you saying that this will take a load off the 911 system?” Alderman-at-Large Herbie Rogers asked about the county’s dispatch center.
“Yes, this will take a huge load off of them,” the chief answered. Mangrum added that with the new system, the officer will radio the dispatcher the location and vehicle information during a traffic stop. The officer will then utilize the in-car software to check the driver’s license, vehicle registration and other information, reducing the work for the dispatcher. Once the stop is completed, the officer will alert the dispatcher that he or she is back in service.
“We have had some conversations already about what they are charging us and no other municipalities are paying anything,” Mayor Donald Gray added about the contract with the county. The $70,000-plus annual contract between the city and county was inked in 2017 and eliminated city dispatchers. But city officials have repeatedly noted in previous meetings that the City of Water Valley pays for the dispatching service, while Oakland and Coffeeville are not charged by the county for the dispatching service.
Speaking in the March 2 meeting, the mayor also noted supervisors cited a surplus in the county’s 911 fund as a possible funding option for Gum’s Crossing Bridge; a reference to the February supervisor meeting when options were considered for the county’s $3 million-plus portion of the cost to replace the $16 million bridge. Several accounts with surplus funds were identified during the meeting as potential sources of revenue for the bridge, including the 911 fund.
“I certainly want that bridge built,” Gray emphasized. “But if they had to have our $70,000 per year, where did that surplus build up in the 911 fund?”
“Do we need to talk about bringing it back to the city?” Rogers asked about exiting the contract with the county.
“I’m not against it, but we need to talk hard about that one,” Mangrum answered.
“I would like to see the city contribute less for the dispatch services that we are receiving from the county. But I think the savings to our police department through this software system is worth what it will achieve,” Ward One Alderman Kagan Coughlin added.
Other business conducted at the March 2 meeting included:
• Aldermen split, 3-2, in a vote to purchase a new $139,000 sewer truck for the city. Water and sewer department superintendent David Floyd had requested the new truck, citing the age of the current truck utilized by the city. Floyd has also repeatedly told aldermen that the manual transmission in the current truck is problematic for some of the younger drivers who work in his department.
Gray opened the bids during the meeting and aldermen were ready to vote when Rogers brought two issues up for discussion. He noted that operating the manual transmission should not be a issue for city workers and stressed that the city needed to continue to run the current 90s model truck longer to get more use of it following a recent $14,000 repair bill.
“$139,000 is a lot, and I think you made the statement that it was because it was a stick shift and people can’t drive a stick shift any more?” Rogers asked.
“Yes sir,” Floyd answered.
“If you can’t drive a straight shift, me personally as a man, you have a problem with yourself. I hate to say it,” Rogers said, adding that he can’t justify purchasing a new truck when the current truck is running.
“What year is the truck we are using now?” Coughlin asked.
“I think it around a 91 or 93,” Floyd answered.
“So it is 30 years old?” Coughlin said.
“Yeah and it has been wrecked, rolled over, tore up, put back together,” Floyd replied.
“Herbie I hear you and I agree. In my mind this in the category that we need to get ahead of things breaking down and a truck that has worked for 30 years has done it’s service,” Coughlin said.
“I agree with what you are saying, Kagan. But we have to try to get $14,000 of run out of this to try to recoup some of our money back,” Rogers said.
The purchase was finalized with Ward Three Alderperson Cinnamon Foster, Ward Four Alderperson Nicole Folson and Coughlin voting in favor of the purchase. Ward Two Alderman Fred White and Rogers cast dissenting votes.
Coughlin, Foster and Folson voting in favor of the purchase and White and Rogers casting the dissenting votes.
• Appointed a special prosecutor for a city court case after Shannon Crow recused himself from the case. Tommy Defer was hired for the sum of $300.
• Appointed Janet Dickey to fill a vacancy on the municipal election commissioner after Bonnie Cox stepped down. Cox is running unopposed for Ward 3 Alderman and could not serve on the election commissioner. City officials noted they are still seeking a third person to serve on the commission.
