911 Board Reviews Budget, Equipment Needs

Effingham County 911 board members Tuesday reviewed the tentative budget for the coming fiscal year.

911 Treasurer and Effingham Police Chief Jeff Fuesting said it is a "very tight budget". Fuesting said the numbers are based on a recommendation from the State to base the budget on amounts received last year.

Residents of downstate counties paid 87 cents per month for 911 last year. That amount is to increase to $1.50/month during the new year, which should increase the revenue received by the local 911. 

However, Fuesting said the State is four months behind on payments. He said that, if the State begins to base payments on the higher monthly charge, and the local 911 receives the funding it's due, 911 in the county will be in better financial shape.

There was also discussion of a new generator that will serve the new police station but also 911. Fuesting said 911 will have to pay a share of the cost of the generator, but he doesn't yet know whether 911 should pay their share of the cost upfront, or whether they will have to pay a fee.

Fuesting also shared about seeking a grant for new StarCom mobile units for city squad cars. He said the City is seeking grant funds to pay for the units. Right now, officers are depending on their portables, which Fuesting termed "a huge officer safety issue". He suggested that if the grant is received, 911 will be asked to pay maintenance fees on the mobile units. The grant funding would cover the cost of the unit, installation and programming. Fuesting said if the grant is not received, he will look to a gradual process of obtaining the units a few at a time from regular city budget funds.

The 911 board agreed to renew liability insurance coverage through Weis Insurance Agency for $16,657, just a $32 increase over the past year. Board members also heard about Abbott Ambulance working on a software interface that will let Abbott obtain information on emergency activity. The County's IT manager Jason Repking was authorized to proceed with helping with the project on this end, with Abbott covering any costs for the work.

The Board agreed to obtain a training module to help new telecommunicators better work with the Spillman 911 software, and discussed automatic vehicle locator services for squad cars. Fuesting said such an item would be beneficial to know where squad cars are located even when an officer can't respond as to their location.