SALISBURY — County commissioners agreed to some compromises this morning in a 911 consolidation agreement, but Salisbury City Council still must approve a couple new changes.
At a called meeting today of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, the board voted 3-2 to amend the agreement, which has been revised several times by both the county and city.
Salisbury City Manager Doug Paris said he plans to bring the latest version of the document before City Council when it meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Commission Chairman Chad Mitchell added language allowing Rob Robinson, the county telecommunications director, to make dispatch staffing changes as needed to maintain service levels.
In response to concerns raised by Commissioner Jim Sides, commissioners agreed that a new Compliance Review Committee could continue meeting beyond three years only by a vote of both the city and county boards.
Sides and Commissioner Jon Barber both voted against the amended document — for opposite reasons.
Barber said the agreement should have been left as it was, while Sides said he still isn’t satisfied with some of the provisions. That includes language allowing the city of Salisbury to withhold its $50,000 annual payments, which it would make over 10 years, if it decides the county isn’t meeting service level requirements.
The negotiated agreement between county and city officials calls for consolidation of all 911 services with the county by July 2013. The city would transfer the responsibility of telecommunications, 11 employees, equipment, maintenance and the overhead expenses to maintain a 911 center to the county.