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DuBois County to fund hardwired generator monitor for 9-1-1 center to protect ISO score
Summary
After discussion about subscription services versus a one-time hardwire install, the council authorized up to $5,500 to wire a monitor into the county 9-1-1 center; officials said monitoring helps protect the county—mergency Services ISO rating.
Stuart Wilson, lawn director for DuBois County, urged the council to approve a one-time hardwired installation to monitor the Justice Complex generator that supports 9-1-1, the jail pod and other critical services.
Wilson said the county had received an initial quote of $5,215 from Wire Electric to hardwire a monitor in the 9-1-1 center where the unit can be monitored. He argued a subscription-based monitoring service would likely be more expensive over time and could increase during the life of the subscription.
The nut graf: Wilson and other staff argued that having a monitored generator is one of the items the Insurance Services Office (ISO) asks about when rating local fire/EMS services; losing credit on that question could lower the county—ommunity ISO score, which has implications for insurance and public safety credit.
Wilson described technical reasons the hardwire route requires specialized cabling and a significant run: the generator is located at the back of the building and cannot use existing cable paths, so installation requires a new cable run that raises material and labor costs. He said the county—attery backups maintain systems seamlessly, but the center has no reliable way to detect whether the building is on generator power without the monitor.
Commissioners discussed funding sources and asked about an overrun contingency. Wilson said repairs and maintenance funds exist in his budget but using them would tighten other planned replacements; one commissioner suggested funding the work from county C&R funds (community corrections or capital-and-repair fund) because the generator supports community corrections operations.
Ending: The council agreed by a show of hands to authorize up to $5,500 pending a locked, not-to-exceed quote from Wire Electric and to seek a clarified written estimate. Staff will return with a not-to-exceed amount to finalize contracting and identify the precise funding source.
