911 Board Learns Agency Can't Pay for Replacement Road Signs

Members of the Effingham County 911 Board Tuesday learned the agency can no longer pay for road marker replacements.

A prior board many years ago made the decision that 911 would pay for replacement signs when they are damaged or stolen. Now, new state legislation permits 911 to pay for initial installation of signage, but not any replacement costs.

Effingham Police Chief Mike Schutzbach, who is treasurer for the 911 board, said he has spoken with County Engineer Greg Koester about the change. Both the county and the townships in the county are affected, since 911 has paid for replacement costs in all the unincorporated areas of Effingham County.

System Administrator Jodi Moomaw also reported on House Bill 3988 allowing for the arrest of people making fake 911 calls, and reported that the new dispatching consoles are in place and have been accepted from the vendor.

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon reported on concerns of some outlying fire departments in the county that they are having trouble with radio transmissions, and also reported on an incident in which it took an ambulance crew 30 minutes to reach an address in the Mason area. The sheriff said the matter is being reported to the County Board's Ambulance Oversight Committee.