Caldwell County approves purchase of two properties for regional 911 and emergency operations center

Caldwell County commissioners on Sept. 22 approved an agreement to purchase two properties intended to house a consolidated emergency operations center (EOC) and 911 communications center and to host the Western Region Emergency Management office.

Emergency Services Director Trevor Key told the board the county has identified two properties that meet project needs: a parcel at 240 Pleasant Hill Road in Hudson with an asking price of $4,950,000 that includes the primary facility and an adjoining 6.5-acre tract, and a Norwood Street warehouse priced at $2,400,000. Key said the Pleasant Hill seller intends to lease the facility back for up to six months and that two months of lease payments on the Norwood Street site would be credited toward its purchase price.

Key and Interim County Manager Wayne Rasch told commissioners the new approach reduces the county's cost compared with an earlier design. The county's original new-facility estimate in March was roughly $41 million; Key said the revised plan, including purchases and renovations, is currently estimated in the mid-to-upper teens of millions (discussed in the meeting as approximately $16'$17 million) with about $13.2 million set aside for renovation and equipment after purchase of the two properties.

Board members and staff said the project will be funded with state-directed grants and other grant opportunities rather than county general fund dollars. Key confirmed the county returned a prior grant because the project scope changed and said staff have discussed the revised project and amendment steps with the state budget office. He also said the county plans to pursue additional 911-specific grants.

County officials highlighted operational benefits: the facility would provide larger covered space for emergency commodities and equipment, consolidate trailers and equipment currently stored at multiple locations, and create a regional coordination center. Rasch and Key said the Western Region Emergency Management office would be sited in Caldwell County and serve coordination for 33 western counties.

Commissioners voted to approve the agreement as presented, subject to final review and edits by the county manager and county attorney, and granted the county manager authority to sign the final agreement. The motion passed on a voice vote; the transcript records the motion, discussion, and a roll call of "aye," with no numerical tally recorded.

Key also updated the board on related work: the county has leased the Norwood Street warehouse for about a year to support emergency operations during recent storms and said the purchase-and-renovate approach will allow the county to avoid using general-county funds for acquisition and initial renovation. He said additional grant opportunities could reduce the county's share further.

Separately, Key reported the Kincaiders Mountain EMS base construction has been delayed by heavy rains that pushed site work back; interior work is largely complete and officials now expect completion in November.