DEPARTMENT: Attorney
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Axon Enterprise, Inc. For County Attorney’s Office Digital Evidence Management Software And Support
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the Dakota County Attorney to execute a five-year contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. (“Axon”) to provide Justice Premier digital evidence management system software licenses and support for use by Dakota County Attorney’s Office (“County Attorney’s Office”) staff.
SUMMARY
The County Attorney’s Office has used the free version of Axon Evidence since 2021 for the storage and sharing of the majority of digital evidence received by law enforcement agencies using Axon products. This digital evidence includes the audio and video of body worn cameras, squad videos, photographs, audio recordings of statements, surveillance videos, etc. That contract has since expired, and did not provide adequate storage for the volume of digital evidence.
Axon’s Justice Premier solution is a cloud-based digital evidence management software designed for use by prosecutors’ offices. Justice Premier streamlines the digital discovery process through centralizing and organizing the substantial amount of digital evidence (e.g., body cam, squad video, photographs, reports, etc.) received by the County Attorney’s Office in one secure location. Furthermore, Justice Premier offers controlled file sharing with law enforcement agencies and defense attorneys.
Enhancements in the Axon Premier Justice product will allow for unlimited storage, real time editable and searchable transcripts, automated translation of audio and video files, the ability to play and share proprietary videos without the need of a separate player, and the ability to perform video and audio redactions directly within the case in Axon.
Axon Justice Premier allows non-Axon agencies to share their digital evidence with our office eliminating the need for storing that data on county servers as well as the ability to share directly with the Public Defender’s Office into their version of Axon Premier Justice rather than sharing a link where they are required to download all the data. This will create a more secure sharing of all digital evidence.
In summary, Axon Premier Justice will provide the unlimited storage capabilities needed for the County Attorney’s Office, enhanced features that will save hours of staff time in reviewing, disclosing and preparing cases for court and lessen the burden of storing digital evidence on the County servers for non-Axon agencies.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a five-year contract with Axon for Justice Premier digital evidence management software and support for the County Attorney’s Office.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The annual cost of the software and services is $136,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $680,000 for the five-year term. The contract will be funded by County levy, and sufficient funding for the 2026 annual costs is included in the 2026 budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office (“County Attorney’s Office”) has used a version of Axon Enterprise, Inc. (“Axon”) Evidence software since 2021 to share and store the majority of digital evidence received by law enforcement agencies using Axon products; and
WHEREAS, Axon’s Justice Premier digital evidence management software is designed to streamline the digital discovery process, store unlimited data in a secure cloud location freeing up County server space, and allow for controlled sharing with law enforcement agencies and defense attorneys; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing a five-year contract with Axon for Justice Premier digital evidence management software and services for the County Attorney’s Office; and
WHEREAS, the annual cost of the software and services is $136,000 for a total not to exceed amount of $680,000 for the five-year term; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funding for the 2026 annual costs is included in the 2026 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Dakota County Attorney to execute a contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide Justice Premier digital evidence management software and services to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, in an amount not to exceed $680,000, for a term of five years, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Tom Donely
Author: Tom Donely