911 Communication Bridge Still Not Ready

Effingham County 911 Board members Tuesday learned that the communication bridge designed to improve communication between law enforcement officers when they're out of their vehicles is still not ready for a test.

Members heard that it may be the first of the year before the test can be done.

The Board voted to pay for another year of coverage of the 911 phone system at a cost of $35,000.  The original five-year agreement when the system was acquired has expired.  The initial cost figure was $41,000, but 911 Supervisor Jodi Moomaw negotiated the price down by $6,000.

911 board member Norbert Soltwedel wondered whether letting the service for bids might save some money, and plans to revisit the issue next year.

Soltwedel also reported that the Board's RFP Committee has completed drafting a document regarding a study of the 911 system to determine its efficiency.  He hopes, if there are no objections, to bring the matter before the Board for a vote on Saturday.  If the Board agrees, Soltwedel will then make the proposal available to prospective bidders.

911 board members also heard that updated aerial mapping of the county could soon be completed.