How on earth is there not some kind of enterprise-level database system that can perform these functions and already exists for licensing by municipalities? Why does it seem like they want/need this kind of thing to be built/coded from the ground up every goddamn time?

Honest question, because there are literally dozens of database, cloud computing, record keeping, and other type companies that license these systems to private enterprise on a daily basis. When I worked in a large law firm there were over a half-dozen major document review platforms with extremely sophisticated data parsing, reporting, review, and entry functions that could easily be modded/tailored to each project. How is there not something similar for government record keeping?

There is Flavio, it's called Executive Information Services. Check them out at https://www.goeis.net/

JHambone - well there you go, thanks for the link. Do you have any idea of pricing? I have to believe this would be a cheaper solution than whatever proprietary nonsense we paid through the nose for just to have the City turn around and scrap it.

Flavio - I think they price on the size of the subscribing agency (or group of agencies, if there is a consortium). There are several Oregon and Washington law enforcement agencies using their system.

If it is not yet apparent, failure itself is the ever generous springboard for increased government spending towards private service contracts. I will wager any amount Mercury readers wish to risk that RegJIN's replacement will exceed the original $12M cost.