Board approves $11,850 to wire county‑owned generator and designate former school board building as EOC
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Summary
The board voted to allocate $11,850 from EMS budget funds to professionally install wiring and integrate a county‑owned 48 kW Generac generator at the former school board building to establish an Emergency Operations Center; staff said using an existing generator avoids new capital purchase.
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 12 to reallocate $11,850 from existing EMS budget funds to pay for professional installation and wiring to integrate an existing county‑owned 48 kW Generac generator with the former school board building, designating the building as the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Emergency services staff presented the proposal, arguing the generator was purchased in 2020 and is suitable for the facility, and that using a lower installation bid would meet technical and code requirements while avoiding the need to purchase new equipment. The presentation emphasized that establishing the EOC and auxiliary power would improve continuity during power outages and disaster response.
Board members asked about fuel, service contracts and placement; staff said the generator runs on propane, the unit is under a service contract, vendors typically install propane tanks and the generator has been inspected by contractors. The motion to approve the reallocation passed with recorded 'aye' votes from a majority of supervisors present (one supervisor absent during the vote).
The board recorded no long‑term capital appropriation for new equipment because the generator is already in county ownership; the approved funds are for installation and configuration. Staff will proceed with contracting for installation and return updates to the board as needed.