The software that Denton County's 911 dispatchers, deputies and jailers use to log calls, write reports and track evidence is up for a five-year renewal at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting, with a first-year price of $1,332,341.01.
The county has run Mark43's computer-aided dispatch and records management platform since a 2021 procurement that replaced discontinued older products, according to a memo from Purchasing Director Scott Arledge. Commissioners approved the original software agreement Sept. 14, 2021. Its five-year subscription ends Nov. 29.
What the system does
The memo describes Mark43 as the county's "mission-critical public safety platform." It covers emergency communications, law enforcement records, field and mobile work, evidence handling and data analysis. Because it runs in the cloud, dispatchers, patrol deputies, investigators, records clerks, detention staff and supervisors with the Sheriff's Office and participating public safety agencies can enter and pull up the same information.
Keeping the service running is necessary to maintain 24-hour public safety operations and access to records, the memo says. The county's Technology Services department, which would manage the contract, recommends approval and says the deal would bring short- and long-term savings. The memo does not put a dollar figure on those savings.
The cost over five years
The agreement would keep the products and services already in use, including maintenance, hosting, updates and vendor support. The county estimates the yearly bill would rise each year:
