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Emmet County approves Alpha Wireless panic-button system; pursues local zoning contact and addresses court office needs
Summary
The board approved the Alpha Wireless panic-button security system for courthouse coverage after a presentation by EMA Director Travis Sheridan, agreed to pursue hiring a daytime local zoning contact, and discussed a need for a third-floor office for Associate Judge Jennifer Bennett Finn. The board also entered and exited closed session with no decisions reported.
EMMET COUNTY, Iowa — The Emmet County Board of Supervisors on July 29 approved a push-button/radio panic-button security system for courthouse locations and handled several related administrative matters.
Travis Sheridan, the county’s Emergency Management Agency director, presented options the county safety committee reviewed for a panic-button security call system. Committee members recommended an Alpha Wireless radio-operated system that would function across multiple locations. Heartland Technology was identified as an alternative whose package would incorporate a fire-system update; the safety committee preferred the Alpha Wireless option. Supervisor John Pluth moved to approve the Alpha Wireless bid, with a second from Supervisor Jeff Quastad; the motion carried by unanimous vote.
Separately, Vice-Chair Tim Schumacher discussed pursuing a part-time, local zoning contact position. Zoning Administrator Steve Hallgren told the board that having a local zoning contact is important for timely responses and that after-hours meetings would require oversight by the Board of Supervisors. The board voted (motion by Jeff Quastad, second by Todd Glasnapp) to pursue filling the position with daytime courthouse hours.
The board also discussed county court facilities after the appointment of Emmet County resident Jennifer Bennett Finn to an Associate Judge position; the minutes note a need for another third-floor office to be used by the court system. The minutes did not record a motion to reassign or renovate office space; the matter was discussed as an operational need.
The meeting included a closed session entered under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) at 9:34 a.m.; minutes record that the board later voted to leave closed session and that no decisions were made in the closed session. Supervisor Jeff Quastad left the meeting at 10:20 a.m. The board adjourned at 10:22 a.m.
The minutes do not include contract amounts, vendor contract numbers, or implementation dates for the security system; county staff follow-up is implied by the approved motion but not detailed in the minutes.
