Allen County Commissioners agreed to pay $87,968 to replace equipment in the 911 Center during their weekly meeting on Tuesday morning
911 Communications Director Angie Murphy asked for the money to replace the departments radios, computer server and six computers. Murphy said the radios were brought with them when they moved into their current building, meaning they are at least 11 years old.
The radios come with a $57,493 price tag. The server comes in at $21,787. Murphy said the server was last replaced in 2014 and with equipment updates, they are experiencing issues with the server being able to keep up with new equipment.
The server is supposed to be replaced every three years, I will be honest, I havent because it is such a large cost. I have been paying a company to come in and clean it to take care of the dust and make sure the temperature is where it should be. I think with proper care you can get five years out of it, Murphy said.
On another note, Murphy said there was damage caused from storms last weekend. She said the county could include the damage from the storms in the states Declaration of Emergency from Mays flood.
PUBLIC WORKS Director Mitch Garner reported that the county is still working to fix washouts, which remains ongoing, especially with the storms from the weekend.
Garner also reported that fuel sales at the airport are picking up as pilots learn they are selling it again. Garner said they had several pilots stop in for fuel over the weekend.
ACARF DIRECTOR Janice Porter asked commissioners for $1,000 per month. Porter said that 36% of all animals they receive comes from Iola, while 31% comes from Allen County, and an additional 33% comes from surrounding counties.
Porter said they receive $90 from the City of Iola for every animal they receive. This allows the group to shelter the animal for three days before sending it off for shots and to have the animal spayed or neutered.
Residents of Allen County are asked to pay a $15 donation when they drop off animals at the facility. The shelter finds homes for the animals both locally and across the nation.
When they are unable to find a pet a home, they seek other no-kill shelters to transfer the animals.
ACARF reported revenue varying from $1,000 to $3,000 a month from its store to support its shelter.
Commissioners said they would look into the situation.
Commissioner Bill King said it would be hard for the county to give ACARF money based on the fact they have a contract with Iola.
It would be hard for me to ask the citizens of Iola to give more money, given the fact the city already pays $90 per animal, King said. Citizens in Iola would be hit twice for these fees, when you receive animals from all over the county and surrounding counties.
