Polk County sheriff requests body cameras

Catch up quick: The sheriff's office is one of the last law enforcement agencies in the county to implement a body camera program for patrol officers, Sheriff Kevin Schneider told supervisors during a meeting last month.

• Des Moines police have used them for about five years and recently moved forward with a nearly $1.8 million upgrade.

The intrigue: Schneider originally requested hiring two additional full-time staffers, largely to field public record requests and complete potential redactions linked with any video footage.

• But county administrator John Norris' recommendation Wednesday is $94,000 less than Schneider's initial request, allowing for one staffer.

What's next: Supervisors next month will finalize the overall $313 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

• The county government's property tax rates would decrease as much as 5% under this week's recommendations.