Blair County to spend $350K to replace, expand cameras at courthouse

County to cover cost of devices at courthouse with ARPA funds

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County is preparing to spend about $350,000 to replace and expand the amount of security cameras inside and outside the courthouse.

Commissioners Dave Kessling, Amy Webster and Laura Burke voted Thursday in favor of the proposed project prepared by Empire Communications of Altoona.

Burke said the county is covering the cost with American Rescue Plan Act funds, which were budgeted for this capital expense.

The cameras will also be compatible, Burke said, with cameras being purchased for the Central Court building in Altoona. On Aug. 13, commissioners agreed to upgrade security there by accepting a $19,000 grant from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

For the courthouse camera project, commissioners confirmed that no general fund money will be used to cover the cost.

"So the system we're replacing is 28 years old," Kessling asked Nick Burket, director of public works/facilities, who on Thursday presented commissioners with Empire's proposals.

Burket told Kessling that the cameras and wiring being replaced are in the 1998 section of the courthouse. While the camera heads in that area were replaced in 2014 or 2015, Burket described them and their original wiring as obsolete.

Empire submitted a price of $148,198 for replacing 44 cameras in the 1998 section. It also asked for an additional $205,406 to install 66 more cameras as part of the entire project.

Burket said that personnel from multiple departments -- including the sheriff's office, courts, commissioners' office and internet technology department -- did a walk-through to identify blind spots inside and outside the courthouse where cameras will be added.

The project also covers equipment used in the viewing and recording of video captured by the security cameras, with a period of time available to preserve video recordings on an as-needed basis.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.