By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The wheels are in motion for the Henry County Emergency Radio Project, with the county commission unanimously authorizing the award of a bid for Phase 1 of the project and authorizing purchase of a radio tower.
At recommendation of County Mayor Brent Greer Monday night, the commission accepted the lowest bid from Integrated Communications of Jackson for $722,673.22. Greer reminded the panel this is a joint project with the city of Paris and Henry County Emergency Communications District and will create a new and improved public safety communications network.
Greer noted, “This is something we’ve been working on for a long time and it will happen in two phases. This is something our community can be very proud of.” He noted the county is the first one to use Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) funds for the project and that other counties have been following suit.
The project will improve emergency communications for all first responders in the entire county and Greer said, “This is a great message to our citizens” that the county supports such a project.
Also approved was the purchase of property from Wood Tower LLC and Robert Wood of Union City which includes the 300’ guyed radio tower and 5.5 acres of property located at 7475 Rabbit Creek Rd. in Buchanan. Purchase of the property will allow the radio project to move forward. Purchase property is $35,000 and will be paid off in 2-5 years, Greer said.
County Commissioner Randy Gean said, “The sooner, the better. That’s the way I look at it.”
–In other business Greer commended County Trustee Randi French and her staff on their collection of 100 percent of personal property taxes in the county.
–Greer distributed copies of the audit committee report which summarizes the recent state audit, which included two minor findings regarding internal controls. “We’re very pleased with the audit,” he said. “It’s close to a perfect audit.”
Photo: County 911 Director Mark Archer, center, leans forward to hear a question from the commission at Monday’s meeting, with Chad Howard and Ron Watkins, also of the 911 program, also on hand. Seated behind is Deputy Ricky Wade. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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