Commission approves contract for 911 equipment
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WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission has approved a $3,050,000 contract with Motorola Solutions to provide equipment for the county's emergency 911 center and first responders.
The county commissioners said the contract approved Tuesday is for 10 years and includes an upgrade in five years, but the commission may opt out in any year while retaining ownership of the equipment, which will include hardware and software for computer-aided dispatching, phones and radios to be used by first responders.
Commission President A.J. Thomas said the board will pay $1.2 million for the first year.
County Commissioner Tim Ennis noted the company initially submitted a bid of $3.4 million but individuals working on behalf of the board were able to negotiate a lower price.
County Commissioner Stacey Wise noted plans to establish a modern 911 center were launched five years ago.
She said individuals involved in the planning and talks with Motorola included Christina White, the 911 center's director; Bob Fowler, former director of emergency management; Carl A. Frankovitch, the commission's outside legal counsel; and Global Science Technology, an independent consultant hired to oversee the project.
Plans call for a new 911 center to be created in the former judge's chambers for the circuit courtroom within 18 months.
Those court facilities and others are to move into a judicial annex slated for construction later this year.
Reflecting on Tuesday's development, White said, "I'm just excited. It's like Christmas finally came. It will make their (911 dispatchers) work more efficient."
Following the meeting, White said the participation of local municipalities was key to the contractor's willingness to reduce its cost.
In recent weeks, both Wellsburg Council and Bethany Council agreed to contribute $54,101 up front and a $4,000 yearly maintenance fee for equipment for their police departments.
Follansbee Council is expected to consider providing about $89,000 at its next meeting.
White said the figures are based on the size of the municipalities' police departments, whose members will receive training for the equipment through the contract.
In presentations to city officials, she noted the new equipment will allow officers to file incident reports and access criminal databases from their vehicles so they can, for example, determine if a person in a stopped vehicle has a criminal record and history of carrying weapons.
White said Weirton first responders operate on another network, but a remnant of the old system will be used to maintain communication with them and local volunteer fire departments who likely lack the funds to participate.
In other business:
● Thomas said the commissioners will follow their regular 10:30 a.m. Tuesday meetings with special meetings at 11:30 a.m. to plan the budget for the 2022 fiscal year until it's completed.
● The commission is seeking a volunteer to serve on the county museum board. Letters of interest should be sent to the office of County Clerk Kim Barbetta.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)