Jasper County Board Working on New Dispatching Equipment

Jasper County Board members heard at this month's meeting about progress on obtaining new dispatching equipment.

There would be four participants in the use of the equipment: Jasper County, Newton, Crawford County and Robinson. Jasper County's share of the cost would total $158,000. The plan is to let Robinson pay the upfront costs, and let the County and the other partners pay the city back over a period of time.

The dispatching program is designed to reduce the duplication of reports, and saves information to be used later. The Board heard that a dispatching agreement for the ambulance service has been signed and completed, and that John Phillips has been approved as interim 911 coordinator.

There was also discussion of a circuit clerk's automation project. The work will cost just over $36,000 with funds coming from court document storage funds.

An upgrade of the 911 computer system was also discussed.

Board members approved a bridge aid petition submitted to replace a structure in Smallwood Township, west of Jerome Kistner's property, and a contract with the Jasper County sheriff's union was approved, including a 2.5% salary increase retroactive to December 1.