911 Board Hears Latest on Tower Network

Effingham County 911 board members Tuesday heard that work is progressing on the three tower sites in Effingham, part of a countywide network of towers.

Global Technical Systems has told board members that the system is "pretty well built out", indicated that the vendor can be paid 50% of the project cost. The plan is to have those three sites completed by year's end. The hope is that the countywide network will be in place in 2024.

The Board decided that they would invest some of the revenue on hand while waiting on progress of other projects. The vote was to invest $500,000 in a six-month CD at Dieterich Bank. Both state and county officials have indicated that it is permissible to invest funds under those circumstances.

There was discussion about the amount 911 reimburses the City of Effingham and Effingham County for telecommunicators. The 911 proposal is to go back to a three-year agreement at an annual increase of 4%. The parties agreed to a one-year contract last year in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Board members also discussed how to address a location south of Altamont where a business and a residence have the same address, now that the same owner doesn't own both properties.The Board instructed the addressing coordinator on how to deal with the situation.

There was also discussion on how to deal with damage done by lightning at the city dispatch point earlier this year.