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Commission approves MARC use of county microwave as 911 backup
Summary
Miami County commissioners unanimously approved an agreement allowing the Mid-America Regional Council to install equipment on the county microwave system to provide an emergency backup for 911 call transmission at no charge to the county.
Miami County commissioners on a unanimous vote approved an agreement letting the Mid-America Regional Council install and maintain equipment on county radio infrastructure to provide an emergency backup to receive 911 calls if fiber circuits fail.
The agreement, described at the meeting by Mark Whalen, the county’s emergency management coordinator, allows MARC to use the Miami County 800 radio system as an emergency backup to transmit 911 calls to the Miami County Dispatch Center and other agencies. Whalen said MARC “will pay for and maintain the equipment that rides on the microwave system, and there would be no charge to Miami County government.”
Commission discussion was brief. Commissioner George Bridal moved to approve the agreement and Commissioner Vaughn seconded; the vote was 4-0. The board’s recorded action authorized county staff to sign the agreement so MARC can order and install the equipment.
Why it matters: The agreement creates an alternative path for 911 call routing if the county’s two fiber circuits are lost, giving dispatchers a redundant option for receiving emergency calls. According to Whalen, the arrangement is intended to protect county communications in the event of a “critical 911 failure.”
What commissioners approved and limits: The board approved the specific use and installation by MARC; Whalen said MARC will fund and maintain the hardware and the county will not incur direct charges. The approval is a formal contract-level authorization; commissioners did not direct additional work or appropriate funds for county expenditures related to the installation.
Details from the meeting record: Whalen told commissioners the request began “a few months ago” and that the county counselor reviewed the agreement. The motion to approve was moved by Commissioner George Bridal and seconded by Commissioner Vaughn. The motion passed unanimously with members responding “aye.”
Next steps: MARC will order and install the equipment, and county staff will complete execution of the agreement so the backup capability can be established.
