The Davis County Commission voted 2-1 on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to let the Sheriff's Office share license plate reader data with the Utah Department of Public Safety, approving a five-year agreement over objections from residents who called it government surveillance overreach.

The vote means data captured by Automatic License Plate Recognition cameras operated by or shared with the Davis County Sheriff's Office can now flow to state law enforcement, the Davis Journal reported. The Sheriff's Office serves Bountiful, Woods Cross, North Salt Lake and Farmington.

Sheriff Kelly Sparks told commissioners the agreement restricts data access "purely for public safety" and does not create new camera infrastructure. He said the office has no stationary ALPR cameras deployed in the county but does have units available for specific situations. Sparks framed the MOU as a tool to ensure plate data already being gathered is used responsibly, citing solved homicide cases and recovered kidnapped children as examples of ALPR's value.

"We have solved homicide cases, we have recovered kidnapped children," Sparks said. "What we need to be able to do is make sure that we're using that valuable information in a very restrictive and important way to protect safeguards, all the rights of our citizens."

Commissioner Lorene Kamalu, who voted yes alongside Chair Bob Stevenson, called the memorandum "actually protective," saying it restricts how data can be used rather than expanding surveillance. Commissioner John Crofts cast the lone no vote. He said he wanted more time to examine the agreement because of civil rights concerns.

Residents pushed back

At least three residents spoke against the deal during public comment at the Davis County Administration Building in Farmington.

Bountiful resident Ron Mortensen urged commissioners to wait, noting the Utah State Privacy Commission is completing a study on license plate readers with recommendations expected by the end of September. He also said Rep. Kristen Chevrier plans to introduce legislation on ALPR data use in the next legislative session. Mortensen argued the commission should not sign the MOU until it tells the public who owns the collected data, where all cameras are located in Davis County and where the data is stored.

A Kaysville woman asked the commission to pause and tighten the agreement's terms, saying a large group of citizens are "severely affronted by the cameras." Another resident warned the agreement is "putting the nose under the tent" and questioned where the surveillance could lead.

What the law says

Utah law already classifies ALPR data as a protected record under the Government Records Access and Management Act. State statute limits plate data sharing to specified purposes and requires a disclosure order or warrant for release, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The MOU, listed as agenda item #2026-778 on the commission's official agenda, carries no dollar amount and was recommended by Chief Deputy Arnold Butcher of the Sheriff's Office. It takes effect upon signing and runs five years.

The commission also canceled its Aug. 18 meeting. No next meeting date has been publicly posted.