Jan. 18--EFFINGHAM -- Citing both a lack of funds and sketchy timing, the Effingham County Board declined Tuesday to endorse a feasibility study for proposed consolidation of the county's 911 system.
"It just doesn't seem like a good way to do business," said board member Jim Niemann, a member of the ad hoc committee studying consolidation. The current 911 system has dispatch centers at both the Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Sheriff's Department.
Niemann said the committee directed him to approach the board about helping with the cost of a study that, he said, could cost anywhere from $20,000 to $120,000.
"The committee is at a point where we either need a study or not," he said.
But Niemann also expressed concern that studying consolidation now would be potentially fruitless because of expected new regulations mandating new equipment for 911 centers.
"The next generation of 911 (equipment) is expected to be ready in two to five years at a rather large expense," he said. "That might be a good time to look at consolidation.
"Maybe this is something we can revisit when the new equipment is ready," Niemann added.
Jodi Moomaw, system manager for 911, told the board there was no way of knowing how much the new equipment would cost until it was known what type of equipment would be necessary.
Board member Rob Arnold proposed the board table the committee's proposal.
"I think this should be tabled until more information becomes available so we can make an educated decision," Arnold said.
The Effingham City Council discussed the proposal at its Tuesday meeting, but took no action. The county's Emergency Telephone System (911) board has declined to participate on the ad hoc committee.
Also Tuesday, the board passed three initiatives related to the proposed public transportation system, including a resolution authorizing the intent to develop public transportation, an ordinance authorizing the board to seek funds for the system and an intergovernmental agreement with Shelby County to house vehicles used in the system.
Kristie Warfel, transportation director for CEFS, said the system could be running in anywhere from two to six months. Effingham-based CEFS was awarded last year the right to administer the system.
Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 132, or at [email protected].
Copyright 2012 - Effingham Daily News, Ill.
