August 7, 2024 - The Shelby County Commissioners moved forward on seeking quotes for a proposal from District Attorney Karren Price during their July 24, 2024, meeting to upgrade the video system in the District Courtrooms for the benefit of jurors.
A few years past, the commissioners agreed to install a large screen in each courtroom to allow for the viewing of evidence, and since then Price has heard feedback from jurors.
“Here's what we hear from jurors, they can see what's going on on that screen and they can hear, but they can't see a lot of tiny detail and they can't hear as well as they would like to be able to hear,” said Price. “So, I got to thinking about what we can do to help them be able to hear the evidence, which is the only reason we want that technology, is to help these jurors.”
Price described a system of three monitors to sit directly in front of the jurors in the jury box wall when operational, and when not displaying evidence, the screens can drop down the behind the wall and out of their view.
Commissioner Tom Bellmyer moved for the District Attorney to seek an estimated cost for a turnkey installation of the system she described and to know how long it would take for the project to be completed and then for her to return to the court with that information, the motion was seconded by Commissioner Roscoe McSwain and the motion carried.
The commissioners discussed donating the cost of an Opioid Educational Curriculum to Excelsior ISD with Opioid Litigation funds in the amount of $619.41.
County Judge Allison Harbison stated, “This is going to be kind of a test run for the school system, and that money is sitting, I believe, in that fund.”
Judge Harbison confirmed with Clint Porterfield, County Auditor, none of the Opiod Litigation funds have been used yet.
“I think this is a great opportunity for a smaller school to see how it works, and then maybe we can do some help for the other school districts,” said Harbison.
Commissioner McSwain said he has spoken with Porterfield in the past about what could be done with the funds, which have been collecting over some time, because there are limited options on how the money can be spent.
“I serve on a security board of Excelsior ISD so a while back I asked them would they be interested in trying opioid addiction educational for like fifth graders sixth graders,” said McSwain.
Commissioner McSwain heard back from Excelsior ISD representatives who were interested in a curriculum for the fifth grade class.
Commissioner McSwain moved to donate the $619.41 to Excelsior ISD to acquire the curriculum for opiod schooling. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bellmyer and the motion carried.
“If we can save one Shelby County child by taking this curriculum and giving them the encouragement and the chance to say, ‘no, I'm not gonna do this and I'm gonna take these drugs,’ I think if we just save one kid's life it’ll be well worth it,” said Judge Harbison.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:51am.
Agenda items approved during the meeting include: 1. Pay weekly expenses. 2. Payroll. 3. Reappoint John Howard Shelby County Representative to Burke Board of Trustees for a two-year term. 4. District Attorney, Karren Price to seek quotes on Courtroom technology upgrade. 5. Donate the cost of an Opioid Educational Curriculum to Excelsior ISD with Opioid Litigation funds in the amount of $619.41 6. Adjourn 9:51am.
