The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

"9-1-1" to be on County agenda

By Sally Day for the Quill

Realizing the grave importance of, and the enormous expense of a 9-1-1 system, the Henderson County Board engaged in a discussion about such on Tuesday morning, October 9, at their regular meeting. Board Chairman Marty Lafary opened the discussion by noting he had heard from many people about their concern for a 9-1-1 emergency system. He added, that in order to establish this, the county would have to offer a referendum on a ballot, putting it in front of all Henderson County residents. "Everyone in this room knows the importance of this," Lafary remarked. Board member Curt Eisenmayer was asked to work on this goal. Eisenmayer said, "I will work on this if you want me to." Lafary said, emphatically, "We want you to."

Board member Mark Lumbeck noted, "It would cost a fortune to renovate the Sheriff's Office, setting it up to handle 911 calls.

"We need to meet with some of the 911 Directors from other counties and ask them about costs, needs, etc."

Chairman Lafary remarked that in the meantime, "We need to work on addresses." This has been an ongoing problem in the county, with ambulances, law enforcement, and even deliveries being affected. The board plans on beginning work on an addressing system, but not calling it 9-1-1.

The board agreed to place the 9-1-1 system on the agenda for next month.

In unrelated business, Chairman Lafary thanked the board for their consideration in last month's decision in not allowing a cell tower to be placed near an airstrip owned by Matt Defenbaugh.

Lafary further stated that the company putting up the cell tower has agreed to move it from their initial placement.

There will be an Appeals meeting of the Zoning Board held on October 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the courthouse.

The board chose to drop their discussion on Drug Testing for a short time and pick it up at the first of the year. It was decided that it was something they need to act on, but want a little bit more information. Cost will be an issue.

In other business, the board:

• learned from Zoning Officer Coral Seitz that the flood buy-outs, "should be settled in about two months."
• heard from Coral Seitz, Zoning Board Officer, that in order to receive money through HUD, the county needs to have certain ordinances and policies on hand. These are IKE Grant Resolutions and Policies and range from discrimination and the way the county accepts bids, etc. The policies and ordinances were adopted in a list form and submitted for motion, which passed.
• discussed having links on the Henderson County Economic Development Website, which would give out certain information about Henderson County Offices. County Board member Bob Peterson said all the details were not worked out yet, but thought it was getting close. Chairman Lafary thought this was a good idea.
• re-appointed Brian Good to a the Henderson County Health Board for a 3-year-term.
• agreed to continue with Automation Technology Support for the County.
• approved the claims paid in September and the minutes of the September 11, 2012 meeting.