Emergency Management requests Ranger doors, trailer repairs and instant alert system for residents

Emergency Management representatives described several preparedness and communications proposals in the budget review.

Ann Traxler and Valerie Vail asked for doors for the 2022 Ranger ($4,000) to improve safety and noted recently purchased radio batteries at $100 each. They also described a collaborative skywarn team with Morristown that complements a local team of about 6 members and cited roughly 15 external volunteers who support storm response. "These batteries will allow us to talk all the way from Le Center to Waterville," they said.

Administrator Teresa Hill proposed an instant alert system with a $2,000 initial setup and a $299 monthly fee that can deliver up to 20,000 messages per year; she said the County runs a similar system and could include Waterville but does not have the city's citizen contact list. The council discussed marketing the system through utility billing as an opt-in for residents.