The Daviess Council gave it’s OK to a $346,000 update to the security system at the Daviess County Security Center at its April meeting, Wednesday morning. The low bid from SAS from Indianapolis was $54,000 under the original estimate and includes new security cameras, wiring, locks, and intercom system. Councilman Kent Norris and County I.T. Director Dale Qualkenbush told the Council the upgrades should last for at least 20 years. The security system would also be compatible with the Annex and would allow expansion.
The council also discussed a cost analysis of a proposed combined county emergency dispatch center. Talks are currently underway with the City of Washington. The combined dispatch center is under consideration since all cell phone calls go directly to the County 911 operators and then must be transferred to the Washington dispatchers, if the emergency is inside the city limits. Councilman Mike Sprinkle suggested contacting other counties who have merged systems rather than pay for a cost analysis.
In other business, the Council approved an appropriation request from the County Airport to pay benefits to out-going Airport Manager Jack Miles. Airport Board member Ray Crawford told the Council that the Airport Board will be advertising for a new manager. Crawford said that Eric Sievers is serving as the temporary manager.