Erath County Commissioners on Nov. 10 approved a sales agreement with Russ Bassett for dispatch consoles and accepted an interlocal cooperation agreement for shared DroneSense unmanned-aircraft-system (UAS) operations with the City of Stephenville and the joint dispatch center.

County staff presented the interlocal for the DroneSense software and related UAS equipment as part of the Unified Dispatch Center project, describing it as a standard shared-services arrangement for multi-agency events and emergency operations. "This is really standard," a staff member said while describing the Unified Dispatch Center role in projecting video and operational oversight. Commissioner Stevens moved to approve the interlocal; the motion passed.

On the dispatch-console procurement, staff said the contract with Russ Bassett is all-inclusive—product, installation and related services. The total sales agreement price reported to the court was $197,540.93; Erath County will be responsible for one-half of that cost under the joint arrangement with the City of Stephenville. Staff told the court the purchase had been budgeted (county budget line for the project was set near $200,000) and that installation and equipment are included in the quoted price.

The court approved both items by voice vote. A staff update given later in the meeting reported that radio-system installation and remodeling of the emergency operations center were underway and that the project remained on schedule for mid-year availability.

The agreement and the sales contract will next be finalized and signed by authorized officials as required by county procurement rules.