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Grant County approves 911 backup agreement pending legal review; authorizes MOUs for court records access
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Summary
Grant County commissioners approved travel and training requests for Central Dispatch, authorized memoranda of understanding giving Marion and Gas City probation staff defined access to the county’s PSIMS records system, and approved a backup 9‑1‑1 services contract with InDigital Communications pending legal review.
Grant County commissioners on Nov. 3 approved several Central Dispatch measures intended to bolster emergency response and records sharing.
Central Dispatch Director Mister Hicks reported call volumes and staffing needs and won approval for travel and training. Hicks said the center handled 2,624 9‑1‑1 calls last month and more than 11,000 total calls; the center has 17 full‑time employees, one vacancy and two new full‑time staff in training. "We've been testing prospective employees and expect to be fully staffed soon," Hicks said.
The board approved two memoranda of understanding that define probation staff access to the county’s PSIMS records-management system. The MOUs — one with Marion City Court and one with Gas City Court — set terms of access and, as discussed during the meeting, will run for two years with the ability for early termination on 60 days’ written notice. "This clarifies what probation staff may use the records for and gives the county control over access," Hicks said.
Hicks also requested authority to sign a contract with InDigital Communications of Fort Wayne for backup 9‑1‑1 service and to purchase four portable "go kit" phones that would allow dispatchers to answer 9‑1‑1 calls remotely if the dispatch center must vacate the building. The board discussed initial and recurring costs; Hicks described a first‑year setup figure and recurring licensing fees in subsequent years. "This would allow us to answer 9‑1‑1 calls no matter where we are," Hicks said. The commission approved the contract authorization pending review by county legal counsel.
Each motion carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were provided during the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to coordinate with Howard County under an existing mutual agreement and to have legal counsel review the InDigital contract before the agreement is finalized.
Next steps: the county attorney will review the InDigital contract and staff will finalize the MOUs and implementation details.
