Charles City leaders to fund unbudgeted item to improve safety communication

Charles City supervisors have agreed to fund an unbudgeted item to the tune of $110,000.

Leaders voted unanimously to fund the sheriff’s office request to pay ID Networks to upgrade technology for the communications officers as part of the Dec. 21 regular meeting.

At the September work session, the item appeared before supervisors, catching them off guard. At that meeting, county administrator Michelle Johnson told supervisors that previous administration was handling negotiations and that she didn’t find out about the situation until receiving a call at the end of July. Through talks, Johnson was able to get an extension on a Letter of Intent (LOI) to negotiate and inquire more details about the technology.

ID Networks acquired DaProSystems, the original provider for communication dispatchers that was used in Charles City. Johnson favored the $110,000 price tag as it eliminated unnecessary features. The county will have the option to pay for the upgrade upfront or in installments that span over the next five years.