A ride with a view County discusses bus security camera

The bus owned and operated by Allen County that ferries elderly folks around the county soon may have a “big brother is watching” feature.
Steve Prasko, of Advantage Computer, told commissioners Tuesday morning his company could install a surveillance camera on the bus to keep a video record of its occupants.
Thoughts about the camera arose amid concerns about liability the county might incur if something happened on the bus, such as a rider falling.
“I believe in video systems,” said Commissioner Tom Williams, who as sheriff outfitted his officers with head-mounted cameras that provide indisputable evidence of what goes on while they are on duty.
No specific instances of problems were mentioned about the bus, more that a camera on board would be pre-emptive.
Prasko said cameras, about the size of a computer mouse, were installed on Le Roy-Gridley school district buses. That led to fewer problems, once the students were aware their actions were being recorded, he said.
County Clerk Sherrie Riebel said she envisioned a camera with recording capabilities to capture images throughout daylong operations of the county bus.
Prasko said he would return with a proposal.
Commissioners also approved purchase of two computer systems for County Attorney Wade Bowie’s office for $1,800 from Advantage Computers, one of three bidders.

COMMISSIONERS agonized over their 2014 budget, looking for ways to bring the ad valorem tax levy more in line with where it was this year.
This year’s levy for all of the budget was 67.538 mills.
When Rodney Burns, an accountant who assists commissioners in budget preparation, handed over the first draft in July, the levy was about 87 mills. Since then, commissioners have cut projected expenses to the point that by late Tuesday morning the levy was 73.433 mills.
“We’d like to whittle it down some more,” said Chairman Dick Works.
Commissioners intend to take another whack at the budget at next Tuesday’s meeting, before approving a version for publication. They intend to have a public hearing no later than Sept. 3.
In current form, the budget calls for total expenditures of $14.54 million, including $5.65 million for the general fund. This year’s projected total expenditures are $12.02 million; 2012’s actual expenditures were $12.89 million.