County to spend over $1 million for new emergency communications

Bartholomew County has successfully negotiated down the cost of a contract for a new emergency communication system after being asked to move off of the existing contract earlier than planned.

Todd Noblitt, director of the 911 Center, approached the county commissioners yesterday to approve a contract with Motorola to upgrade the existing system. Noblitt said that the current equipment and contract was in place through 2030, but Motorola contacted the county at the start of the year saying that the existing equipment would be obsolete and no longer in 2031.

According to Noblitt, company officials said that they expected a rush on new equipment purchased nationwide when that happens, and encouraged the county to upgrade now rather than wait for a system during the rush.

Noblitt said the original suggested contract was for more than $1 million for the equipment and $400 thousand for a four-year maintenance agreement.

However, the county has negotiated a price of $619 thousand for the equipment and an 11-year maintenance agreement for about $300k. The maintenance agreement would be split up over the cost of the contract.

The total cost is just over $1 million, but the county splits the cost with the City of Columbus, which will pay 55 percent.

Noblitt said the new system will also set the county up for the upcoming Next Gen 911 requirements, when they are implemented.

Commissioners approved the contract yesterday.