Denton County officials hope to tune up the efficiency of the sheriff’s office and other area law enforcement entities with the purchase of a computer-aided dispatch system.

County commissioners approved $1.7 million for a system provided by SunGard Public Sector on Tuesday and agreed to proceed with final negotiations with the firm.

“Discussion about redoing this system has been a long time coming,” said County Judge Mary Horn. “As the county grows, so does the demand for services — not only Denton County sheriff’s but law enforcement around the county. The more we coordinate and consolidate, the less expensive for everybody.”

SunGard provides software and consulting services for city and county governments, public safety and justice agencies, not-for-profit organizations, school districts and municipal agencies, according to the company’s Web site.

The county’s new system will have three components: a computer-aided dispatch system, a records management system and mobile data computers for all law enforcement vehicles, as well as new software that will run the programs, said Beth Fleming, county director of purchasing.

The system will enhance service that the sheriff’s office provides as well as aid in the dispatch work it does for other law enforcement agencies and fire departments in the county, she said.

The system was budgeted in the capital improvement fund for this fiscal year at $1,714,535.

Fleming said that number is expected to be higher when the final bill goes before the court, because of some equipment the county will purchase separately, contract negotiations for optional services and some data conversion costs and integration into the county’s justice system software. “That cost has not been determined,” she said.

The sheriff’s office is not commenting on the system purchase until negotiations have been completed and nothing “goes astray,” said Communications Capt. Michelle Pena.

The county expects it will take another month to negotiate and produce a final contract, and at least six months before implementation of the software begins, Fleming said.

BJ LEWIS can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail address is blewis@dentonrc.com .