Codington County Approves $55K Detention Center Radio System, Sheriff’s Vehicle Trade-Ins
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Codington County Commissioners unanimously approved a request to surplus and trade in two vehicles for the Codington County Sheriff’s Office during their recent meeting.
Sheriff Brad Howell presented the request and outlined the trade-in values secured through Watertown Ford to help offset the cost of new department vehicles.
"What I'm requesting is to trade in a 2019 Dodge Caravan with 164,000 miles and a 2020 Ram with about 140,000 miles on it," Howell said. "The value that Watertown Ford gave us was $7,000 for the pickup, the RAM, and $3,500 for the caravan. So looking to trade those in towards our new vehicle, something that we've done for years."
Commissioner Myron Johnson moved to approve the surplus and trade-in request, and Commissioner Tyler McElhany seconded.
During the discussion, Howell updated the board on the status of the replacement vehicles.
"We've got our van. We picked that up about a month and a half ago, and it's actually getting the miles put on, and it's outfitted and ready to go," Howell told the commission. "And the new pickup is here waiting for after the meeting today to determine whether or not we're trading or what we're doing."
The motion passed without opposition.
The next item on the agenda was Sheriff Howell’s as well. The Codington County Commissioners approved a $55,327.77 equipment purchase for the Codington County Detention Center, providing dedicated communication channels for jail staff.
Sheriff Brad Howell presented the proposal from DSC Communications, noting that the county planned and budgeted for the purchase in preparation for the new detention center.
"What I'm looking to do is looking to spend $55,327.77 towards a radio system that we had budgeted for this when we found out we were getting the new detention center," Howell said.
The equipment package includes 14 radios and a dispatch console. Howell explained that the upgrade will significantly improve communication safety and clarity by giving correctional officers their own closed network.
"Right now we share a channel with the sheriff's office. And so when they start talking to the deputies, they kind of talk over each other a little bit," Howell said. "This will be a closed circuit for the jail staff to be able to talk and have new radios."
The new system will feature two frequencies, with one dedicated to maintenance communication. The primary channel will let dispatchers monitor incoming local and state law enforcement while staying in direct contact with jail staff during internal movements.
The system operates on a digital UHF frequency but retains VHF capabilities to ensure seamless communication with deputies and dispatchers when needed.
While the new console will be securely stored until it can be wired into the future detention center, Howell indicated that the radios will be distributed to staff immediately.
"The radios we do plan to start using as soon as we get them in, start practicing," Howell said. "They can start communicating a little bit more than what they are right now."
Commissioner Lee Gabel moved to approve the radio system purchase, and Vice Chairman Randy Schweer seconded. The measure passed unanimously.
