In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant upgrades to the county's security and communication systems, focusing on a proposal for panic buttons and a new telecommunications contract.

The meeting highlighted a proposal from Link Systems to implement panic buttons at every workstation for county employees. The initiative aims to enhance safety across all county buildings by providing immediate alerts to dispatch in emergency situations. The estimated cost for this upgrade is $17,910, which officials plan to fund through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The proposal received positive feedback from attendees, who emphasized the importance of improving response times in potentially life-threatening situations.

Additionally, the meeting addressed a new contract with Frontier Communications to replace outdated copper phone lines with a more modern SIP trunking system. This transition is expected to improve call quality and reduce costs, with the new service projected to save the county approximately $300 to $400 monthly. The contract will be for a 36-month term, and officials expressed confidence in the reliability of Frontier's services, noting their long-standing experience with the company.

Both proposals are set to be revisited in the next regular meeting, where further discussions will take place to finalize the decisions. The upgrades are seen as essential steps in enhancing the county's operational efficiency and safety measures.