Claremore Daily Progress

Verdigris

August 18, 2011

Walton to oversee E911 center?

Commissioners consider asking sheriff to ‘take over’ project

Tom Fink Staff Reporter

CLAREMORE — Rogers County Commissioners this week considered turning over 911 funds and the E911 building to Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton as “lack of a technical advisor” on the project has slowed progress.

A spokesperson from BKL, Inc., the firm selected to design and construct the new (Rogers County) courthouse, explained to commissioners that, although BKL could provide a feasibility study, design and build the courthouse, when designing the emergency response (E911) center, it would need to work in tandem with someone “already familiar” with the technical aspects of how said system works.

Commissioner Mike Helm motioned to appoint Walton as the local liaison to work with BKL, Inc., and to turn over all 911 funds and the E911 building to the sheriff, a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Kirt Thacker.

Before the motion passed, Assistant District Attorney David Iski reminded commissioners that the item was a “discussion only” matter as listed on the agenda and no formal action could be taken. Both commissioners then withdrew their respective motion and second.

Rogers County Deputy Jerry Smittle told commissioners he would confer with Walton about his potential willingness to take over the E911 project.

In other actions, commissioners appointed Thacker to oversee the construction of the E911 Center for the duration of the project as Thacker himself noted the “project has dragged on for a year and a half, waiting for different entities to come on board with the idea. The public voted for this. It’s past time for us to build it, equip it, and get it operational,” Thacker said. “We need to move forward with this and quit waiting around. I feel it’s important for one of us to oversee it through it’s completion.”

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