Commission authorizes $53,000 go‑ahead for joint 911 facility study

Cole County commissioners on Feb. 25 authorized staff to proceed with a $53,000 facility study by Mission Critical Partners to examine options for a consolidated 911 communications center and directed staff to return with a contract for formal approval.

The study will evaluate whether to renovate existing space, such as the police department lower level, or build a new facility, estimate staffing and technology needs for the next decades, and identify funding mechanisms. County staff and public safety leaders told the commission the work follows a recently completed staffing study and is intended to produce a long-term plan.

County staff said the payment would come from the county’s prepaid 911 fund, a pooled revenue collected on behalf of the city and county. Staff noted the account currently holds about $47,000 and that the provider was willing to bill in phases; the vendor will submit a contract and the four chief officers will appear at a future meeting to answer questions before final execution.

Commissioners emphasized the study’s focus on locating enough space for additional staff and on long-term sustainability. One commissioner said the study would be billed in increments and that staff anticipated sufficient funds by the time final payments were due. Another commissioner asked for the city’s role to be clarified in the funding conversation because the fund is held jointly.

The motion to authorize staff to obtain a contract and proceed with the study passed on a voice vote.

The study does not commit the county to a construction project; it authorizes only moving forward with contract negotiations and the study work.

Looking ahead, staff will return with the vendor contract, and the four chief officers for the county’s 911 participants will present details and answer commissioner questions before the commission executes an agreement.