County communications director: four local schools preliminarily awarded 9‑1‑1 GIS mapping funds

Ellis County’s communications director provided an update on a statewide 9‑1‑1 GIS mapping grant opportunity intended to deliver internal floor mapping of high‑priority critical facilities.

The director explained that state legislation made $2 million available for Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to map critical infrastructure—priority was given to K–12 schools and post‑secondary institutions—and that the grant’s scope can include internal floor plans and links to cameras or other systems if facilities opt in. “The intent of this program is basically to try and provide and leverage more of the…next generation 9‑1‑1,” the director said, noting the mapping can show the floor level for multi‑story buildings as z‑axis data becomes available to dispatch.

He reported that four Ellis County schools have been initially approved for first‑round funding: Hays High (current location), Hays Middle (new location), Roosevelt Elementary and TMP Marion High. He said there is a list of preapproved vendors and that county staff will learn more about per‑facility costs in an upcoming webinar with state administrators; initial indications were that the state expects to fund multiple facilities per PSAP in staggered rounds.

Commissioners expressed support for prioritizing schools and county government facilities and asked the director to report back when vendor and cost details are available. There was no requested match or ongoing service obligation required by the grant for the schools, the director said; continuation of any vendor service after the grant would be optional and facility‑specific.

No formal action was taken; the briefing was informational and staff will follow up on vendor lists, cost estimates and award details.