Edgar County Board flags rising 9-1-1 dispatch costs, $335,000 simulcast quote after tower inspection

Edgar County board members discussed a steep increase in local dispatching costs and a vendor quote for a radio simulcast system at a county board meeting. County officials said the total annual cost to staff six full‑time dispatchers is $442,748, and that under the existing cost‑share arrangement 9‑1‑1 reimburses the county for roughly 45 percent of that expense — a change that would add about $64,000 a year to 9‑1‑1’s payments to the county.

The issue emerged after an inspection identified metal deficiencies on a county tower and ahead of a 9‑1‑1 board meeting where a vendor is expected to present a $335,000 quote for a simulcast radio system. County board member Carl said, “The total cost for dispatching is $442,748 for the 6 dispatchers,” and warned that a $335,000 purchase should be put out for bid. “If they're going to purchase something for $335,000, they need to be bidding it out,” he said.

The discussion matters because the county’s reimbursement arrangement and any large capital buy could change how local 9‑1‑1 costs are allocated. Carl told the board 9‑1‑1 has traditionally reimbursed 45 percent of dispatcher costs; with the new calculations the county projects an additional $64,000 annually would be owed by 9‑1‑1 under the same percentage. He also urged counsel input on procurement rules before any purchase.

Board members described three related technical issues: (1) tower deficiencies (rust and metal issues) discovered by a crew working on the tower; (2) a vendor’s simulcast coverage study that showed simulcast could raise coverage percentages into the high 90s in many parts of the county; and (3) near‑term facility and governance changes, including plans for combined dispatch with the city that will affect cost allocation. Carl said a meeting with tower contractors and county staff was scheduled and that the county’s state’s attorney should be consulted on procurement.

Samantha, speaking for Verizon Health, presented emergency medical transport data that board members used to contextualize 9‑1‑1 workload. “We got 195 9‑1‑1 calls, up from 74 a year previous, still about 6½ a day,” Samantha said, adding that 35 transports went to Horizon Health and 14 to Union, with 31 classified as treatment transports. She reported a 12‑lead ECG time compliance of about 87 percent, slightly below the board’s 90 percent target.

Board discussion also covered staffing models. Carl summarized past staffing changes — moving from five to six dispatchers — and warned that proposals to change shift length to 12 hours could increase total personnel costs because of scheduling, vacation and overtime calculations. The National Labor Relations Board was cited as needing to approve some shift‑length changes, while the board was told that 9‑1‑1 rules allow a 12‑hour take‑call model.

No formal procurement vote occurred at the meeting. The board’s immediate next steps were to: hold a vendor meeting (the vendor was expected at a 9‑1‑1 board meeting later the same day), meet with tower contractors to address structural deficiencies, and ask the state’s attorney to review bidding and procurement obligations before any purchase.

The county indicated the 9‑1‑1 board would further discuss cost allocation, potential simulcast benefits and whether combined dispatch plans with the city change the county’s obligations. County officials scheduled follow‑up technical and legal review before any final decision.