SALISBURY – County commissioners gave tentative approval today to a 911 consolidation agreement with the city of Salisbury.
But the document they amended and approved was not the same one the city had agreed to support.
Salisbury City Council recessed its meeting this afternoon until 2 p.m. Monday, when it will consider the county’s version of the agreement.
At this morning’s meeting of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, continued from Monday evening, there was some confusion over whether the board was looking at the final draft. Commissioners also made some changes, mostly to broaden the wording of the agreement’s service quality standards.
Commissioners said that they can call a special meeting, if necessary, to consider any changes that Salisbury approves.
In order to apply for a $700,000 state grant to pay for backup 911 equipment, the county and city must approve and submit a consolidation agreement by April 30.
The negotiated agreement between county and city officials calls for consolidation of all 911 services with the county by July 2013. All services would be located within the county’s new 911 center.
The city would transfer the responsibility of telecommunications, 11 employees, equipment, maintenance and the overhead expenses to maintain a 911 center to the county. As support for the consolidated 911 services, the city would pay Rowan County an annual payment of $50,000 per year for 10 years, totaling $500,000.
See more about the city and county decisions in Wednesday’s Post.