Council Approves Security System For Ballfields

POLICE WILL ADD AUXILIARY OFFICERS

FARMINGTON -- A new audio/video and security system for the Farmington Sports Complex will cost the city of Farmington about $77,000.

The City Council last week voted to waive competitive bidding to purchase the system from Commercial Audio Systems in Springdale.

Owner Jim Crews lives in Farmington and installed the audio/video system for City Hall. Some of the company's customers include the University of Arkansas, Farmington School District, the city of Bentonville and Fortune 500 firms.

Mayor Ernie Penn said he recommended waiving competitive bidding because of Crews' expertise and reputation in the industry.

Crews told aldermen the system will have eight all-weather speakers, 12 security outdoor cameras and a 16-input recorder. The audio system will be digital and simple to use, Crews said.

The security cameras will cover the concession stand and bathroom, all fields, playground and parking lot. The speakers will be mounted on light poles and will allow officials to make announcements or play music, such as the National Anthem.

Penn said he recommends a security system because of instances of theft at the ballpark and also for safety reasons. The audio system will provide a way to communicate with those at the ballpark.

The city will use its new bond money dedicated for parks and recreation to pay for the system. The money will not come from the 2017 budget, Penn said. The breakdown of the costs are: audio system, $27,875; camera system, $20,000; conduit installation by Hill Electric, $29,500.

In other action, Council members approved a request from police Chief Brian Hubbard to add 12 auxiliary officer positions. State law allows police departments to add 12 auxiliary positions or one auxiliary officer for every two full-time, certified officers.

Hubbard said he has three certified officers who are interested in serving in the volunteer positions. The only cost would be $67.20 per year per officer for retirement benefits.

Hubbard said auxiliary officers could help with parades, ballgames, walks and runs and natural disasters.

He does not plan to fill all 12 positions but asked for 12 to be approved so that he does not have to return to the Council with more requests.

"These officers play a vital role in increased manpower without the increase in cost," Hubbard wrote in a memo about the request to the City Council.

In addition, the Council:

• Approved a request to move a part-time employee to full-time to serve as an administrative assistant/deputy court clerk.

• Accepted a low bid of $89,986 from Hutchens Construction to overlay .9 mile of Tyler and Gibson Hill roads. About .2 mile of this is in Washington County and the county will reimburse the city $18,000.

• Removed a 2008 Dodge Magnum from police inventory. The city will seek bids to sell the used vehicle.

General News on 09/20/2017