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Durham County funds 911 consolidation and HEART expansion study; commissioner presses behavioral‑health diversion options
Summary
The Board approved a $271,680 feasibility study and contract to examine 911 consolidation and HEART expansion; Commissioner Wendy Jacobs pressed staff that behavioral‑health diversion screening can be implemented independently of consolidation and should be addressed in regular discussion, not just the consent agenda.
Durham County commissioners on Nov. 3 approved a $271,680 appropriation to fund a 911 consolidation and HEART expansion feasibility study and authorized the county manager to execute a contract with ADCOMM Engineering to perform the study.
Deputy Director of Engineering Peri Manns told the Board the study would take approximately 10–12 months after consultants receive data from all stakeholders. The study will examine consolidation options, technical and operational needs, and implications for HEART expansion.
Commissioner Wendy Jacobs urged that future plans and studies be presented as discussion items rather than being placed on the consent agenda so the Board and public have sufficient time for questions. She also noted that national best‑practice studies indicate screening 911 calls for behavioral‑health diversion is not dependent on consolidating 911 centers and could be implemented separately.
Manager Hager and Mr. Manns said the study will include 911 data and that consultants were selected for their experience with best practices. Staff also said a placeholder would be included in the upcoming budget to support potential recommendations from the study, and the Board requested a tour of existing 911 centers as part of follow‑up.
The contract and appropriation were recorded as approved in the consent agenda actions.
