Floyd County Supervisors Approve $5 Million in Bonds to Upgrade to 911 Communications System

Floyd County Supervisors have given the green light for an estimated $5 million overhaul of the County’s emergency communications system. 

During their regular meeting Monday (07.10), the Board and other officials debated the best way to pay to upgrade the current 911 system, which Ben Chatfield of the Floyd County 911 Service Board said is becoming too costly to constantly repair. 

A lease agreement for the project could delay payments for the County, but also means uncertainty for interest rates to finance the project. In the end, Chatfield agreed with the consensus that bonding offered more cost control as well as savings.

Supervisors unanimously approved the issuance of up to $5.1 million in general obligation emergency communications bonds. 

The move also allows the County to take advantage of discounted equipment costs from Motorola, for about $4.3 million, that were only available through August 24th. It could cost about $200,000 a year for five years for the accompanying maintenance and service contract.

The improved 911 communications system would also get Floyd County on the statewide 911 ISICS system, for which Motorola has the contract. 

Still, it could be up to two years before the new 911 system would be operational in the County.