At Monday’s regular city commission meeting, commissioners approved the purchase of pad mount transformers, a 10-year contract with Axon to provide technology (including body cameras) for the police department, and they recognized the 10U girls state champion softball team, among other items of business.
The commission approved the 10-year contract with Axon to provide body cameras, in-car cameras, tasers, and the accompanying software at a cost of $239,397 per year. Bart McCullough of the Douglas Police
Department introduced the item to commissioners. “Axon is top of the line. This year contract will lock us in for 10 years and the cost won’t go up,” he said. Commissioner Mike Gowen, himself a former law
enforcement officer, stated that this type of equipment is important to officers and helps build cases that stand up in court. “This is the best option to get the technology to support our officers,” he added. As a part of the contract, Axon will replace any equipment as needed.
Commissioners also approved the following items of business:
A six-month moratorium on leasing airbase buildings to individuals and organizations that don’t plan to use the buildings for aviation-related purposes. This was a recommendation from the Airbase Preservation and Development Committee.
Pad mount transformers as warehouse stock for $263,690.
A resolution authorizing the submission of a Rural Zone grant application. The city has a Rural Zone for downtown. This one would cover the area from Sellars Street to Walker Street and stretch east
and west of the downtown district boundary. It would provide businesses located in the area with tax credits for rehabilitation, investment, and job creation.
A donation of outdated fire department equipment to the Telfair County Volunteer Fire Department. The Telfair County department would sign a hold harmless agreement with the city to absolve the Douglas Fire Department of any liability regarding the equipment.
The transfer of property to the county for the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities Grant. The county secured the grant to make improvements at the recreation department’s soccer fields. After the grant period has ended, the county will return the property to the city.
A resolution authorizing the submission of a Land Water Conservation Fund Application for walking trail improvements.