Board approves $11,850 to wire county-owned generator for emergency operations center

The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a proposal to designate the former School Board building as the county's emergency operations center (EOC) and to fund installation to connect a county-owned 48 kW generator.

The presenter requested allocation of $11,850 from existing EMS budget funds to contract for wiring and configuration work and recommended using the county-owned generator purchased in 2020 rather than buying new equipment. "This proposal will request approval to allocate $11,850 from existing EMS budget funds to to contract for the necessary electrical wiring and system set up required to connect and integrate the county owned 48 k w Generac generator with the building," the presenter said. Board members asked practical questions about fueling (the system will use propane), service contracts and local vendors; staff noted the generator is already under a service contract once installed.

A motion to approve the installation was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with one supervisor noted as not present for the vote. Staff said the work uses local contractors, requires no new generator purchase and the lower installation bid met technical requirements.