The Mower County Jail and Justice Center is taking the first step in upgrading its recording equipment.

The Mower County board voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve spending $126,326 to upgrade the jail’s recording equipment from analog to Internet protocol — or IP — cameras.

County Commissioner Tony Bennett voted against buying the cameras and questioned why new cameras were required since the Mower County Jail and Justice Center construction was completed in 2010.

However, Sheriff Terese Amazi said the devices were installed and operating before the jail opened in 2010, and since they’re left on all day, they wear out quickly.

“When they are on 24/7, it becomes necessary to replace them after six years,” Amazi said.

Plus, the equipment has been showing its age.

“Our recording devices have been dying,” she said.

The recording devices record the activity in the jail and justice center 24/7 and allow staff to go back and review incidents after they happen.

County Coordinator Craig Oscarson described the new cameras Tuesday as a technology upgrade meant to correct software issues. The new equipment will also allow jail staff to review footage in an easier, more timely fashion.

The money will come from a sheriff’s reserve budget. The bids came in below the $175,000 set aside in reserves. Since Amazi said the plan is to upgrade all the cameras and recording devices, she will be in touch with the county board about using the remaining money that had been set aside.

Along with additional recording equipment, Amazi said they’ll also buy additional camera storage equipment.