By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Meeting in special session Wednesday, the Henry County 911 Board voted unanimously to move forward with plans for renovating the 911 building to include a backup dispatch center.
Drawings of the proposed renovation were prepared by Architect/Engineer Kevin Perry of Murray, from the Archi-ology firm.
911 Director Mark Archer said the cost is estimated at some $350,000 and said 911 would not have to go into the red to pay for it. “The money is in the budget through depreciation,” he said. “We would not be going into the red.”
As discussed previously, board members are seeking to provide a backup dispatch for emergency situations in which the 911 system goes down. Archer said the backup dispatch would completely mirror the current dispatch so that if emergency personnel had to move into it, they would have the same equipment and resources as are offered with the current system.
The renovations would be constructed at the back of the 911 building on Brewer Street and other offices within the building now would be rearranged.
Archer said the proposed timeline is for the project to be complete by the end of 2021. Bidding for the project would proceed as soon as possible.
Photo: 911 Director Mark Archer points to the drawings of the proposed renovation. Shannon McFarlin photo.