The Butler County Commissioners heard an update on the countywide emergency communications system upgrades at their meeting Tuesday morning.
“This project is officially underway,” said Jim Neese, radio systems director. “We have all of the MOUs (memorandum of understanding) with the exception of three school resource officers that will be taken care of this week.”
Although the sites of new towers to be constructed have presented some challenges, Neese was encouraged by the number of radios he was able to get at discounted prices.
“Bargain hunting is coming to a close,” he said, “but there should be two more shipments of radios. [With these radios] we’re looking at saving another half-million dollars.”
Following Neese’s presentation, Emergency Communications Director Chris Davis showed the commissioners a proposed timeline for installing the radios.
He estimates the system will be operational no later than Aug. 1, 2011.
In other business, the commission:
• approved a Notice to Bridge Contractors for the Little Walnut River FEMA bridge replacement project on S.W. 137th Street.
• approved the purchase of right-of-way and accepting the dedications for the Little Walnut River FEMA bridge replacement project on SW 137th Street.
• approved an engineering agreement for a preliminary alignment concept study for the proposed West Branch Whitewater River bridge replacement project on NW 50th Street.
• approved a request by James and Ruth Ann Womble to rezone approximately 40 acres from a Rural Residential zoning classification to an AG-40 agricultural zoning classification.
• approved Resolution 10-04 to update Resolution 06-55 revising the list of employees authorized to execute documents and make deposits and withdrawals in the Kansas Municipal Investment Pool.
• discussed placing false alarm fees incurred in 2009 and associated late fees in the amount of $2,725 on the tax roll as special assessments against Steven Ford of Augusta.
According to Emergency Communications Director Chris Davis, the company had 20 false alarms in 2009. The commissioners tabled the issue until Feb. 16.
• approved the proposal from Lan Tel Communication and Underground Services for the relocation of data and fiber optic cables at a cost of $7,300.
• approved a revised policy stipulating policy standards for the Health Insurance Premium Program.
• discussed the 2009 budget.
• approved the purchase of a vehicle from the state of Kansas in the amount of $11,000.
El Dorado, Kan. —
