Commissioners voted to have the county's emergency-management advisory council review and score requests for proposals for an outdoor warning-siren system.

Stephanie, who presented the item, told commissioners the RFP was sent to several companies and that the Emergency Management Advisory Council (EMA advisory board) is the appropriate panel under state law to review submissions. "Well, under the Indiana code, 10 14, I'm required to have an emergency management advisory council," Stephanie said, then listed suggested committee participants, including county commissioners, a city council member, municipal mayors, the sheriff, the fire chief and representation from utility or engineering contractors for technical review.

Stephanie recommended that the advisory panel include municipal partners such as the mayors of Oakland City and Princeton, local emergency response chiefs, and suggested engineering perspective from Matt Holden and a technical reviewer from Geiger Myers Electric (Alex). Commissioners asked whether a contractor who later bids on maintenance would present a conflict; Stephanie said the contractor would only be asked to review proposals and would not be a voting member of the advisory board.

The commissioners approved the committee by voice vote. Stephanie said RFPs are due July 29 and that the advisory group will score proposals and make a recommendation to the commissioners following the submission deadline.