County Commission gives tentative “okay” to spending over $300,000 on 911 Software, hardware, radios, dash cameras, body cameras on the shopping list

By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
Posted 7/14/21

MARIES COUNTY — The Maries County Commission last week gave the thumbs up approval to the sheriff’s office to get what it needs to bring the county’s 911 Communications Center, the sheriff’s …

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County Commission gives tentative “okay” to spending over $300,000 on 911 Software, hardware, radios, dash cameras, body cameras on the shopping list

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MARIES COUNTY — The Maries County Commission last week gave the thumbs up approval to the sheriff’s office to get what it needs to bring the county’s 911 Communications Center, the sheriff’s office operations and vehicles into the 21 Century.
The availability of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money from the federal government has given the county an opportunity to do this and the commissioners were firm in their belief this is a good use for the COVID-19 recovery money. It’s a lot of money, but it is buying a lot.
Sheriff’s Deputy Major Scott John and County IT Manager Shane Sweno got together and determined what is needed. The Central Square system will update the software for 911, make it easier for data sharing between the communications center and the sheriff’s office for incident reports, and allows for coordination of civil process, commissary and bond funds tracking. The system also collects national incident-based reporting system (NIBRS) data and reports automatically all state mandated stats for grant requirements and national FBI crime statistics. The cost is estimated at about $120,000.
The equipment list John put together will cost about $148,000. There are multiple items to be purchased and this will be done in conjunction with the MoDOT grant the sheriff’s office received for $33,000 in new laptops for the sheriff’s patrol vehicles.
Other items include repeaters and filters, dash cameras, car data system, body cameras, sonic wall and computer needs, biometric car scanners, radar units, medical supplies, vehicle stop sticks, and search and rescue/SWAT drone.
At last Thursday’s commission meeting, Presiding Commissioner Victor Stratman said he thinks they should do it if they can use the ARPA money.
Eastern District Commissioner Doug Drewel agreed, saying they should keep the money in the county. Western District Commissioner Ed Fagre agreed as he said they need to spend the money on the courthouse and get the 911 Communications Center and the sheriff’s office up to speed with technology.
“If you need additional stuff, you need to speak up now,” Drewel told Sweno.“This will take care of everyone in Maries County.” Stratman said he likes that the sheriff’s deputies will have body cameras. Fagre said Liz Schrimpf said they will be able to track and do jail billing. Stratman said they are fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with Phelps County on this project.
The commissioners contacted John, telling him if there is anything that is needed for the upgrade, now is a good time to get it. He asked if they have figured in any licenses or tech support costs. John said he is sure there may be something more.
Sweno talked about an in-car wireless network (WiFi) and a file server. There is a meeting set for next week with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Office about “bringing over” Maries County’s data, which Sweno said currently is a “sticking point” and is yet undecided.
Stratman asked if the new equipment will allow them to communicate with the fire departments and the ambulance districts. John said those entities want to communicate with the new system. They talked about a VHF repeater tower to transfer out to talk with the 911 Center and get information, communicating on primary and secondary channels. Sweno said that would get Maries County “to a whole other level and future proofs us for a long time.”
He said the radio system is obsolete and still needs to be upgraded for all to use MOSWIN. The price tag was estimated at $150,000 for the new radio equipment
Drewel said they were told the last time they spent money on radios they would become obsolete with MOSWIN. Sweno said the new radios would give them the opportunity to open up “talk groups” and give them interoperability, the ability to communicate everywhere in the state.
The commissioners were receptive about increasing the technology level of these systems.
“If the money is there, now is the time to do it,” Drewel said.
The commissioners said they think these improvements will help all county residents.
Stratman questioned whether or not Maries County could end its use of AT&T for the county’s 911 Communications Center when the county partners with Phelps County and will have a connection there.
The county was charged $383 for six phone calls on the last bill received. There was one 23-minute call to Rolla that cost $117, and a 20-minute call to Waynesville that cost $102. That’s over $5 a minute, plus there is a monthly charge of $1,000.
Stratman asked Sweno to look into this as maybe they need a different plan with AT&T. Sweno said even with the Phelps County partnership, he’s not sure if they can get rid of AT&T with 911.
He will investigate but told Stratman it is extremely hard to communicate with AT&T. Stratman didn’t have to be reminded of that as he has spent months working to reduce the county’s AT&T phone bills.
$151 Million
County Clerk Rhonda Rodgers informed the commissioners of the new Aggregate Assessed Valuation numbers. She sent reports of it to all of the county’s political subdivisions.
Maries County’s assessed valuation increased to $151,720,771. Last year it was $145,889,181. This is an increase of $5,831,590. This doesn’t necessarily mean more tax money for Maries County because the county’s levy is rolled back to keep the revenue the same as the previous year. However, the county can claim the new construction for the year, which was stated at $1,385,850.
For Road District One the assessed valuation went from $67,670,538 last year to $69,843,238 this year. New construction is at $619,950.
Road District Two’s assessed valuation increased from $58,720,242 last year to the new valuation of $61,357,492. New construction is at $353,750.
Collecting signatures
MRPC forwarded Stratman information about SB262 Referendum, which is a referendum against increasing Missouri’s gasoline tax. It was submitted on behalf of Americans for Prosperity. Signature collection in the congressional districts will begin once the proposed ballot language has been drafted and approved to circulate.
A minimum of 107,246 signatures are needed to put the referendum on the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballot. Maries County is in the 3rd Congressional District and a minimum of 20,812 signatures are needed from it.
The Missouri Legislature approved SB262 in May 2021, increasing Missouri’s fuel tax by 2.5 cents annually, which bumps it up to 29.5 cents from 17 cents by 2025.
Gov. Mike Parson said he expects to sign it after his office reviews the bills language.
The commissioners wanted to see this gasoline tax increase as the state needs more money to maintain its transportation system. The cities and counties also receive a portion of the increase. Maries County is anticipated to receive an additional $303,770 annually from the gasoline tax increase. Missouri voters may have something else to say about it.
Building and grounds
A local artist, Jill Clayton of Argyle, left an original artwork at the county clerk’s office. It is a portrait of Reinkemeyer’s Sinclair & Repair business in Argyle. Stratman said the business is still there. The artwork is good and it is framed and ready to be hung.
However, the courthouse art collection thus far only exhibits Maries County subjects. The commissioners liked the artwork but were inclined to say it can’t be included in the courthouse collection because it is an Osage County subject.
Stratman said they should be thinking about getting a contract for the courthouse propane business. Drewel said he thinks propane prices may be going up and they can get a contract at any time. Fagre did some googling and said that day the future’s price on propane was $1.17 wholesale. Stratman said last year the county’s contract was for $0.98 per gallon.