Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Brown County Jail and Law Enforcement Center, 15 Washington St. South was built in 1994. The 56-bed facility houses male and female offenders.

NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved a $132,902 jail security system update Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Tony Berg, seconded by Scott Windschitl.

The current jail security system was installed in 1994 during construction of the Brown County Law Enforcement Center/Jail. In 2007, a request was submitted for jail security system updates and replacing a personal computer (PC).

In 2021, system repairs including worn electronic replacement were done by Cornerstone of Greenville, Wi. Cornerstone recommended updating the operating PC to newer computer language and updated electronics.

The system has experienced on-going breakdowns the past couple years. Updates would make it easier to diagnose and repair any issues that arise. It is recommended the jail security system be updated every three years. It has been 16 years since the last PC and most of the electronics were updated.

“I’ve been putting band aids on it for a couple years,” Brown County Jail Administrator Steve Appel said bout the jail security system.

The expense was included in the 2023 department budget.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• Authorizing the purchase of three Motorola APX6000 700/800 MHz portable radios with chargers, speaker mics and ARMER programming from Alpha Wireless for $16,398.21 (including a $300 programming cost), motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Windschitl.

The cost would be an allowable expense of 911 funds. Three older Motorola XTS2500 portable radios would be transferred to the Brown County Highway Department.