Limestone County’s efforts to reduce the cost of transporting criminals to the courthouse by using video cameras to conduct hearings has earned it a government award.

Limestone recently won the Smart Government award from the Revenue Discovery System, a Birmingham-based government-services company that helps state and local governments find money through tax administration, revenue discovery and recovery, and compliance and examination.

The award recognizes cities, counties and state agencies that take steps to enhance growth, cut costs and improve the environment.

The award was given to both the 39th District Court and the Limestone County jail for using video and computer technology to conduct hearings. This eliminates the need to transport prisoners to hearings, which reduces the county’s staffing and transportation costs. Video hearings are also safer because prisoners remain in jail to hear charges and enter their pleas.

The county uses technology created by Cabinet NG and Cisco Systems to link prisoners with a judge. The system also allows the Sheriff’s Department to transfer documents that are signed electronically by a judge.

“This is an outstanding example of how public and private partnerships have come together to provide a technology solution that is reducing costs for county services. It is our pleasure to present the Smart Government award to Limestone County and its officials,” said Kennon Walthall, president of RDS.

Each year, RDS processes billions of dollars in business taxes, license and other fees and has simultaneously discovered and recovered millions in unpaid revenue, according to the company’s press release.