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NEW ULM -- Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved a $115,450 proposal from Cornerstone of Greenville, Wisconsin, to replace Lexan graphic control panels with touchscreen controls for jail control Tuesday.
The issue was introduced by Sheriff Jason Seidl. He said initially the plan was for the computer system to be replaced this year and the control panels in early 2024. This plan included $150,824 budgeted toward the panels for 2024. This cost expectation will be removed because of the proposal's approval.
After the computer system's installation, issues arose warranting earlier replacement of the panels and their movement into the 2023 budget.
"We were experiencing issues early this year," Seidl said. "Some of the locks were just cycling through and not showing as secure. As for a purchase this year, we can manage it in the budget. It was not budgeted for this year."
Commissioner Brian Braun agreed with Seidl's comments on the aging control panels.
"As I look at this system, it’s something we’re going to need to spend on at some point in time," he said. "With the system we have set up, it's almost 30 years old."
The current jail control system was installed in 1994 during law enforcement center/jail construction.
Braun then asked for confirmation that replacement parts for these control panels are obsolete and no longer manufactured. Seidl gave Braun confirmation.
To get jail employees up to speed on the new control panels, twelve hours of training spread across three weeks by two technicians is included in the offer.
Commissioner Scott Windschitl said public safety was also involved in making this change during his final comments before offering a motion to accept the proposal for new control panels. "If you don’t know your lock is secure or not, it's pretty serious." he said.
Anton Berg seconded the motion.