911 Board Discusses Planning for Fiscal Future

A review of the fiscal year audit of Effingham County 911 led to a discussion of how to prepare for 911's fiscal future.

Amy Hartrich of West and Company presented the audit of the past fiscal year's books.  The information led 911 board member Norbert Soltwedel to ask how the agency could earmark funds for expected expenditures in the near future.

Soltwedel suggested earmarking a percentage of 911 income for future capital needs.  The 911 Board has discussed new consoles for 911 dispatchers and utilizing Next Generation technology that would enable dispatchers to receive text messages and video posts to notify 911 of emergencies.

911 System Administrator Jodi Moomaw said Next Gen technology hasn't been finalized and said there is still a battle going on with land line phone service providers since adaptation of new technologies could threaten their revenue stream.

Moomaw also reported that requests for proposals have gone out regarding a study of the 911 system to see where it might be made more efficient.

She said some vendors have asked about another request for proposals just a few months after a similar request made by a committee involving city and county officials.  Moomaw said she told them that this study will be more in-depth. 

The proposals are due March 11 at 4pm.  The efficiency committee will review the proposals and report their findings back to the full 911 Board at their April meeting.

County Coroner Duane Guffey reported that he has obtained a second vehicle from the sheriff's office and has equipped both vehicles with a CAD system obtained using grant funds.  Guffey said he's meeting the various law enforcement groups to establish good working relationships.