The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors yesterday morning approved a five‑year contract to equip the county sheriff’s office with new tasers—replacing models that are no longer supported.
Sheriff Kory Elston told supervisors the agreement with Axon provides 15 new tasers for deputies and one for reserve officers, each priced at $3,700. The package includes training, updated policies, and a five‑year warranty. The cost will be spread over five years, at roughly $10,000 annually.
Elston explained the department’s current X26 models are outdated and parts are no longer available. He said a trade‑in could bring back up to $6,500 on the old units.
Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the purchase, authorizing Elston to sign the contract.
The sheriff also received approval to buy eight new 24‑7 office chairs—four for the communications center and four for the jail. The chairs—designed for continuous use 24 hours a day, seven days a week—cost about $1,500 each, bringing the total to $12,829 with shipping. Funding may come from capital project dollars, which must be spent by the end of June, or CARES Act funding.
The board’s approvals mean the sheriff’s office will move forward with updated tasers and durable seating, investments aimed at improving both safety and day‑to‑day operations.
