The Piedmont City Council, on Tuesday, tabled a decision to upgrade the Police Department’s records system.
At the July 5th meeting, Police Chief Freddie Norton presented the council with an opportunity for the department to upgrade to a digital records system that would replace its current antiquated paper records keeping.
Norton said the city would pay a one-time $2,500 set-up fee, then $800 per month to digitize all of the police department’s records, including arrests reports, an inmate roster, and evidence management. Additionally, Piedmont would then be able to quickly share information with other agencies that use the system.
The system offered by Digital Technologies of Weaver, which is already used by nine law enforcement agencies, was originally developed for the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department by Philip Smith, who was present at Tuesday’s meeting to answer the council’s questions.
Council Member Frank Cobb said that the city may be able to use a system offered by the Calhoun County 911 at a lower cost to the city. Cobb then requested that the matter be tabled until the council could compare costs. It was then agreed to table the vote until the August 16th meeting.
In other business, the council agreed to allow April Doss to host an annual Chiari Walk Across America awareness walk at Veterans Park on September 17th. Doss also got approval to hold a roadblock fundraiser set for August 6th.
Bills for payment were approved in the amount of $269,233.18 in addition to a payroll amount of $119,212.09 for a total of $388,445.27.
Also, the council voted to allow the Power and Light Department to hire a new lineman.
The next regular Piedmont City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2nd, at 6 pm.