Scott County 911 service readies for upgrade, relocation

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The equipment must be purchased by the county by Nov. 30 and then reimbursed by Homeland Security. No local matching funds are required.

Currently located in Morley, the service is planning a move to Benton in order to share communications capability with the Scott County Sheriff's Department. The Morley center handles communications for fire and emergency medical services, while the sheriff's department handles calls for law enforcement.

"We figure putting it all together in one place will save some money for the county," said Burton.

Equipment upgrades will all go into the new call center at Benton instead of doing the upgrades at Morley and then transferring the equipment, said Burton.

The original plan was to move into the new center in July, he said, but the process has been pushed back and the date is now undetermined. The cost is also undetermined, as new requirements for equipment -- like a new base radio and re-wiring -- have forced 911 to put out new bids.

In moving the 911 services will also own its own equipment, where now it leases about half the equipment in use at Morley.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182