Douglas County commissioners at their Monday morning meeting agreed to unanimously spend more money to buy a new software system to keep track of inmate information at the county jail.

Commissioners agreed to move ahead on a $349,334 jail management software program from Spillman Technologies. That software system was more expensive than a $226,000 program offered by Cisco.

But members of the Sheriff’s Department convinced commissioners that the Spillman system has significantly more features than the Cisco system. For example, the Spillman system more easily allows jail employees to make a note of suicidal tendencies that an inmate may exhibit.

The new system will be able to be used at both the jail and the juvenile detention facility.

County leaders had been saving up to purchase the new system for several years. The current software program is about 15 years old, and was not designed to be a full jail management system. Many of the current records being kept are in paper form.

Also, commissioners agreed to enter negotiations for a new software program that will manage the process of mailing and maintaining county property tax bills. Commissioners unanimously agreed to waive the county’s request for proposals process and allow staff members to enter negotiations with Manatron Inc.

Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew asked to deviate from the RFP process because Wyandotte and Sedgwick counties are currently in the process of installing the Manatron system. He said there may be some efficiencies for Douglas County to install the same system at the same time. Also, it could speed the process along. The current system will need a major upgrade by 2009, if a new system isn’t purchased.

County officials are estimating the new system will cost about $350,000, although a price hasn’t yet been negotiated. The money already has been set aside in a reserve fund.