The Cumming Police Department will get new body cameras and replacement dash cameras to ensure officer safety and transparency to the public, new Police Chief David Marsh said.

The Cumming City Council unanimously approved bids by Axon Enterprises Inc., for 16 body cameras at $18,664 and 10 dash cameras for officer vehicles at $25,669 during Tuesday’s work session.

The cost the following years for each would be $10,884 and $11,880, respectively.

The cameras were approved as part of the city’s 2019 budget under then-Police Chief Casey Tatum. Marsh replaced Tatum on July 23, but he’s familiar with the Axon cameras from his 15 years working at the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, he said. Marsh helped the FCSO evaluate several body camera products several years ago, he said, and eventually purchased from Axon.

Marsh said the cameras “provide a lot of protection for our officers and employees against complaints and liabilities, and it gives us a way to be a little more transparent about how our guys are handling calls and the things they do through the course of their day.”

Marsh added, “As the public demands more and more transparency from a police department, we’re happy to be able to provide that. I think our officers do a great job.”

Fairgrounds work

Councilmembers unanimously approved a change order of $127,356.98 for Vertical Earth for the new Cumming Fairgrounds pedestrian bridge project.

The change order includes extending a wall on the Fairgrounds side “to bring it up to grade,” according to City Administrator Phil Higgins. The work will also conclude additional paving and drainage.

City officials said extending the wall will add 5,000 square feet of usable space.

“Really think it’s worth it,” Mayor Troy Brumbalow said. “I even think it’d be a good place for a pavilion with park benches.”

Councilmembers also unanimously approved to construct a new ticket booth for Gate C at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Higgins said the cost would be under $100,000.

The city had previously bid out the project and received a quote for more than $350,000.

“We felt the cost of construction was too high at the time,” Higgins said.