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Board approves plan to host E911 backup in LEC lower level; 911 will fund buildout
Summary
Supervisors authorized use of a shelled, secure lower-level room in the Law Enforcement Center as a permanent E911 backup site; the 911 board has budgeted CIP funds for buildout and will take further action with the LEC authority.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted to allow 911 staff to proceed with plans to establish a permanent E911 backup site in a shelled room on the lower level of the county Law Enforcement Center.
Kenny Schmitz described the space as a block-walled, secure area that currently has no HVAC, power, sprinklers or network. Travis Sipply and 911 staff said prior backup arrangements had proven difficult during severe weather events and that a local backup at the LEC would shorten staff travel time for routine tests and maintenance.
Travis Sipply told the board the buildout would be paid from 911's CIP: "it would be a 911 bill and that's who would pay for it." The board made a motion to approve (Nelson, seconded by Bettinger) and the vote was unanimous, 5-0; 911 will present the plan to the LEC authority next week for final approval.
Why it matters: A local, fully equipped backup 911 operations center reduces the county's exposure to single-site outages and lowers staff response time for testing and restoration during emergencies. Staff noted a two-year horizon is possible because of the work involved (electrical, HVAC, sprinklers, fiber/network).
Next steps: The 911 board will provide cost estimates and scope to the LEC authority; county staff have started preliminary electrical quotes and networking planning.
