Madison County approves updated Emergency Communications Center agreement after detailed review
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Summary
Madison County Fiscal Court on Nov. 26 approved an intergovernmental agreement to create a formal Madison County Emergency Communications Center (MCECC) with the cities of Berea and Richmond, clarifying governance, staff responsibilities, funding mechanics including a $9.01 fee and a restricted fund cap of $200,000.
Madison County Fiscal Court approved a cooperative agreement on Nov. 26 to formalize the Madison County Emergency Communications Center, a consolidated 911 dispatch arrangement among Madison County, the city of Berea and the city of Richmond.
Judge Taylor called the measure, presented by county staff member Jill, which updates the existing joint answering system and sets governance, operating procedures and funding mechanics for the consolidated center. The resolution as passed authorizes the Judge Executive or designee to negotiate and execute the agreement on behalf of the county.
The court’s discussion focused on operational control and compliance. Tom, a magistrate, pressed staff to confirm that criminal-justice information system (CJIS) and LinkNCIC certification responsibilities remain with each individual law-enforcement agency rather than with the joint center. Jill responded: “This this is covering the 9 1 1 personnel and emergency communications personnel, not to your point, not other law enforcement agencies, but are actually our 9 1 1 telecommunicators ... would fall under that and their compliance and certification.” That exchange clarified that telecommunicators would be accountable for dispatch-related compliance while individual police and sheriff offices retain responsibility for their own CJIS/NCIC certifications.
The agreement also addresses board composition and operating procedures. Court members noted a discrepancy in draft language about the advisory board size (draft text listed 12 members while 13 names appeared); staff agreed to correct the draft to reflect 13 members (including two ex officio positions). The resolution states employees will be governed by the Madison County Administrative Code while allowing the Public Safety Advisory Board to develop supplemental standard operating procedures specific to dispatch and telecommunication duties.
On financing, the agreement includes a dedicated $9.01 911 fee intended to fund operations; it also contemplates nominal annual contributions from partner cities (the draft lists a $10,000 annual contribution from each city) and a restricted fund with a $200,000 threshold for certain expenses. Jill explained the restricted account was established to cover costs not addressed by the fee while avoiding an unspent surplus.
Magistrates also asked practical questions about loaned equipment policies and ordinary operational details; staff said loaned-equipment provisions are rare but allow temporary sharing of items such as headsets or radios under documented procedures. The court moved, seconded and approved the resolution by roll call.
The agreement references existing local actions and statutes in the draft (Berea City Council order number 52024, Madison County ordinance 2024-07, Richmond City Commission resolution 24-03) and directs the Judge Executive to finalize and execute the MCECC agreement.
The court approved the resolution by unanimous roll call. The signed agreement and any final edits will be executed by the Judge Executive or designee and posted as required.
