Title
Joint resolution authorizing an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona for a cloud-based digital evidence storage solution for the Public Defender’s Office in the amount of $66,527.74 and authorizing an emergency appropriation in the amount of $84,197.08 in the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund.
Staff Summary
• The Public Defenders Office has no unified storage solution in place for the growing volume of digital discovery received on every case, functionality that is essential to the operation of the Public Defender’s Office.
• Axon Enterprise, Inc., the solution utilized by the State’s Attorney’s Office, has only recently developed its “Axon Justice” platform, guaranteeing cloud based digital storage solution separated from their law enforcement and prosecution platforms in every way, ensuring required confidentiality.
• In accordance with Section 33.115 of the Lake County Purchasing Ordinance, the County Purchasing Division has identified a competitively solicited and awarded cooperative purchasing contract for telecommunication services offered by Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona through Sourcewell.
• The initial annual cost to procure the software, implementation, and unlimited storage is $66,527.74. The vendor has waived the implementation cost. The ongoing software maintenance and storage cost for years two through five increases by four percent each year.
• These services were not anticipated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget; however, these expenses can be absorbed in the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund, which is a special revenue fund that allows for this type of expense.
• It is necessary to perform an emergency appropriation for all revenue received in FY 2024 to be able to authorize spend in this fund. The Supreme Court Public Defender Fund has received $84,197.08 and the full amount will be authorized for expenditure. Without additional funding, the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund will not be able to absorb the expense in future years.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Axon Enterprise, Inc. has developed its “Axon Justice” platform, guaranteeing cloud based digital storage separated from their law enforcement and prosecution platforms in every way, ensuring required confidentiality; and
WHEREAS, the proposed solution is essential to the operation of the Public Defender’s Office; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 33.115 of the Lake County Purchasing Ordinance, the County Purchasing Division has identified a competitively solicited and awarded cooperative purchasing contract for telecommunications services offered by Axon, Scottsdale, Arizona, through Sourcewell; and
WHEREAS, the five-year contract would go into effect from June 2024 through June 2029; and
WHEREAS, the initial annual cost to procure the software, implementation, and unlimited storage is $66,527.74 and the cost for years two through five increases by four percent each year; and
WHEREAS, these expenses can be absorbed in the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund, which is a special revenue fund that allows for expenses of this type; and
WHEREAS, an emergency appropriation in the amount of $84,197.08 is being requested from the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund, which is able to absorb the cost for the first year.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the Purchasing Agent is authorized to enter into a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona for a cloud-based digital evidence storage solution in the amount of $66,527.74; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an emergency appropriation is approved in the Supreme Court Public Defender Fund in the amount of $84,197.08 in accounts 251-3600020-45350 (Revenue - Other State Funds) and 251-3600020-71230 (Software and Online Services).
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on June 11, 2024.