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County approves 9‑1‑1 backup site at Law Enforcement Center; 9‑1‑1 to fund buildout
Summary
The Board unanimously approved use of empty lower‑level space at the Law Enforcement Center for a new 9‑1‑1 backup site. 9‑1‑1 staff said the conversion will be paid from the 9‑1‑1 CIP budget and could take up to two years to complete.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allow 9‑1‑1 officials to develop a backup communications site in unfinished space on the lower level of the Law Enforcement Center.
Kenny Schmitz, who introduced the item to the board, said the shelved space is currently “blank and block” with no utilities and would require electrical, HVAC and sprinkler work before it could function as a backup center. Travis Sipperly of 9‑1‑1 told supervisors the authority has placed money in the FY‑27 capital plan and would pay the buildout costs: “We would take up pretty much half of that space … it’s a blank slate,” Sipperly said.
Sipperly said the existing off‑site backup tested during operations revealed limitations — including network, fiber and VPN constraints — and that bringing a fully equipped backup into the LEC would improve resilience. “I don’t foresee this being a quick thing. I see this for taking in my mind up to 2 years,” he said.
Board members pressed for details on timing and costs but were told the LEC authority must formally approve the request and that 9‑1‑1 has budgeted funds in its CIP. The chair noted that the LEC authority meets next week and that 9‑1‑1 staff had begun preliminary meetings with electrical and networking contractors.
The motion to approve proceeding with the project passed 5‑0.
