Henry Bailey Jr., The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)

The DeSoto Emergency 9-1-1 District Commission has approved a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to raise monthly wired-line fees for commercial and residential phone customers to help finance a radio overhaul.

The commission is eyeing additional income of about $300,000 to set aside annually if the move is endorsed by the supervisors, who are expected to consider the request on July 15. The proposed hikes are 20 cents, from 80 cents to $1 — the state-approved cap — for residential users; and 40 cents, from $1.60 to $2, for commercial users.

“This could bring in an extra $1 million by the time we have to do this upgrade,” Bill Dahl, commission chairman, said in reference to the radio overhaul designed to improve dispatch operations. “That means less money we’d have to borrow.”

“And less money we’d have to ask the cities and county for,” said Debby Dunnaway, 9-1-1 district director.

At an estimated cost of $8 million to $12 million, the district plans to replace and upgrade in the next few years the 9-1-1 and radio infrastructure computer-driver system, nearing the end of its optimal life span. The project includes consoles that receive emergency calls, and the radio units used by dispatchers to alert and send firefighters, police, deputies or search and rescue teams.

Commissioner Chris Shelton, information technology chief for Southaven, pointed out at Wednesday’s meeting that for years DeSoto County has been one of only three counties in the state to have a residential rate under the $1 limit set by the state.

“We’ve never gone up, because we didn’t have to,” added Dahl. “But we knew the time would come to make the change and find money to pay for it.”

County Administrator Vanessa Lynchard said Thursday the supervisors are aware of the radio project’s significance: “It’s been mandated by the state, and it’s a huge thing.”

Meanwhile, representing a $1.2 million investment, new recorders are in place and installation and training continue on a new PSAP (public safety answering point) phone system, Shelton said in a committee report.

In a move that will save $23,222 over the next year, Jim Marineau, president of tower operations contractor Integrated Communications, cited two contract deletions. With three new UPS (uninterruptible power supply) battery backup units under warranty, no maintenance costs will be generated. Also, the removal of some mobile data system infrastructure will cut upkeep expense, he told the commissioners.

An Integrated maintenance accord at $194,008 replaces one at $217,008.

The commission approved an official DeSoto 9-1-1 logo, the first in the district’s 25-year history. It will appear on official letterhead as stationery is replaced, as well as be installed on 9-1-1’s three vehicles and at sites including the headquarters at 1040 Star Landing Road and the four 9-1-1 towers: at Southaven, Olive Branch, Hernando and near the district office. Also, there are five 9-1-1 dispatch centers, four operated by DeSoto cities and one by the Sheriff’s Office.

Copyright © 2013 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.