911 Board Moves Closer to Vote on New Phone System

Effingham County 911 board members have scheduled a special meeting for later this month to vote on the purchase of a new phone system.

The new system, which has been pursued for several years, would have Next Gen technological capability, allowing 911 to receive communication not only by phone but by other means.

The special meeting will be held on July 19.

The Board Tuesday voted to acquire a Keyboard Video Mouse. County IT Manager Jason Repking said one unit would cost $693.25. Repking said the unit could be shared by city and county telecommunicators to see whether it would perform as the TCs hope. Repking said the unit being purchased is preferred by everyone he spoke with at a recent conference. If the unit doesn't do what 911 officials hope, they can get their money back.

Board members voted to purchase seven new dispatch personal computers and 16 monitors at a cost of $12,682.50. The units will be installed in the new city dispatch center. The county units were replaced earlier.

City police chief Jeff Fuesting serves as 911 Board Treasurer. Fuesting reminded that there is no money left in the current budget for additional purchases, but did say revenues are improving from the State, which now collects 911 revenue.