A proposal to purchase body cameras for Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputies is on hold…possibly for some time.

Sheriff Matt Myers and Capt. Brandon Slate made a presentation during Monday night’s work session of the Bartholomew County Council. Capt. Slate went through a PowerPoint presentation which highlighted a pair of options aimed at getting all active county law-enforcement officials, as well as reserve deputies, outfitted with the cameras. The most attractive option, explained Slate, was the purchase of 35 cameras and accessories, along with software that would automatically activate the cameras when a deputy reaches for his or her Taser. Total cost was estimated at approximately $248,000.

Council members indicated that the money for the cameras simply isn’t there. Mark Gorbett, former Bartholomew County Sheriff, said that he would definitely love for the department to have the cameras, but there are other obligations that the county needs to tend to. Laura DeDomenic, council president, echoed Gorbett’s sentiment. That’s where the agreement stopped. For the past two-years, Gorbett has called for the council to take steps to increase revenue to the county. In the past, he has suggested a wheel-tax and public safety tax as a possible way to keep the county from scrambling for funds at budget time. Gorbett’s calls for increased taxes and/or user fees has consistently been rebuffed by a majority of council members. Nothing changed Monday night. Councilman Jorge Morales says that there shouldn’t be a tax-increase unless the county knows how much revenue will come in. DeDomenic argues that she isn’t comfortable taking on additional expenses, including staffing, until a consultant’s report on county finances is complete. She says that is expected in the coming months.