Jasper County Board Considers Partnering w/Robinson on Dispatching System

Jasper County officials are considering a partnership with Robinson on an emergency services dispatching system.

Estimates are that the county could save over $40,000 by co-oping with Robinson on a shared system.

The Spillman system is being used by counties all around Jasper County, including Effingham County. Jasper County's share of the cost would be $160,000, but the county could pay Robinson back over a period of time. A server would be housed in Robinson, and Jasper County would help with service fees. Jasper County 911 will also be asked to share some of the cost of the system.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's department continues to deal with overtime costs. The sheriff's committee reported to the full board that work is underway on accreditation and licensing, as well as with lights and squad cars. A jailer and a part-time deputy have resigned, and a dispatcher is off on medical leave for eight or nine weeks, leading to the increased overtime costs for those asked to fill the gaps.

Fiscal concerns continue for Jasper board members, as a five-year planning committee and a budget committee were approved. The appointments were made due to the uncertainty of the power plant in Jasper County. The coal-fired plant might be closed in the next couple of years due to environmental demands.

The health department also discussed a grant of $65,000 to help cover costs of a 14-county effort designed to help day care providers, pre-school teachers and others.