NEW ULM — Brown County commissioners unanimously approved the purchase a new Dell computer for Brown County jail control Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Dave Borchert, seconded by Tony Berg to purchase a $5,936.71 computer with Precision 7960 tower and Intel Xeon with 2.6 to 4.8 GHz. The item was not budgeted in the 2024 jail budget but the need for it was recently discovered as a law enforcement center (LEC) courthouse camera system video deficiency and could be managed within the 2024 jail budget.

Brown County IT Director Cassandra Reasor said the jail’s current computer CPU “kicks resources out because it doesn’t have the power to run it.”

“As we want more cameras and body cam streaming, we need a computer that can handle it,” said Reasor.

Commissioner Scott Windschitl asked about installation.

“We’ll install it ourselves and put all the programs on it,” Reasor said. “This is actually about $1,500 off the regular price. We’ll get it up there as soon as we get it in.”

Estimated delivery is Feb. 1, if purchased Jan. 23, according to shipping details.

“I think in this day and age, having a dependable camera system is a must,” said Commissioner Borchert.

“I agree. These cameras have to work for everyone involved,” said Commissioner Berg.

Reasor said her department will move the existing jail computer to a place where it is not too taxed.

She added that the new computer could be expanded to handle more resources at a later date, if need be.

Commissioners unanimously approved the Brown-Lyon-Redwood Renville Drug Task force Joint Powers Agreement, motion by Commissioner Windschitl, seconded by Commissioner Borchert. The pact includes respective county boards and sheriff departments, the cities of New Ulm, Redwood Falls, and Marshall and the Lower Sioux Police Department.