County approves replacement repeater, 911 staff report server and phone upgrades

Ohio County’s 911/dispatch staff updated commissioners on several technology and operational needs and won approval to replace a lightning‑damaged highway repeater with a shelf unit.

The 911 staffer told the board the county received a Community Foundation celebration grant to help update the server and that phone‑system wiring and a new rack are being installed this week as part of an ongoing phone upgrade and early Smart 911 integration. On the damaged highway repeater, the vendor’s new‑unit quote was $12,390 while a refurbished unit on the shelf would cost about $7,390 but would not include a lightning warranty. The staffer recommended the shelf unit as a pragmatic, lower‑cost option; commissioners approved purchasing the shelf repeater from the special‑needs line.

Dispatch also reported staffing and equipment needs: registration for an Emergency Management Alliance conference (state offered partial payment) and urgent replacement of two 24/7 dispatch chairs estimated at about $5,000 total. Staff asked whether siren‑maintenance or other lines could help cover those chairs; commissioners directed staff to prepare a transfer or budget request as needed.

Next steps: purchase the $7,390 repeater from special‑needs, proceed with server/phone upgrades, and return with a funding plan for dispatch chairs or alternative sources.