911 Board Discusses Intergovernmental Agreement w/City, County

Effingham County 911 board members Tuesday discussed their intergovernmental agreement with Effingham City and Effingham County.

Under the agreement, 911 pays the City and the County for use of their telecommunicators. 

911 Board Treasurer Jake Buhnerkempe said 911 currently pays $99,563 annually to the City and the County. The agreement is that, if there is no objection, the rate would increase annually by 2% in each of the next two years. Buhnerkempe said 911's finance committee, which also includes County Board Vice-Chairman Dave Campbell and County Sheriff Paul Kuhns, suggested rather a one-year 3% increase, then re-visit the issue the matter the following year.

The 911 Board will vote on that proposal at its April meeting.

911 System Administrator Tina Daniels reported that work is underway to get ready for Rural Med taking over 911 ambulance calls as of May 1. Daniels said crews are working on installation of equipment to make sure Rural Med will have countywide coverage, and said that Rural Med will be placed on the I AM RESPONDING system to make sure fire companies are aware of any emergency situations. 

Asked whether Rural Med will be ready to go May 1, Campbell said more should be known at this month's County Board meeting.

The 911 board accepted West and Company's audit of 911 financial statements.