COUNTY'S RADIO TOWER FUND ABOLISHED

(10/30/2009)
A long-time fund maintained by contributions from county entities to maintain the county's radio towers has been dissolved.

The fund, managed by the county's fire departments, was created years ago, and used by volunteers to help maintain a radio system, using a shoe-string budget.

The fund had been called into question by the E-911 Advisory Board because of the lack of auditing and oversight, after which the county commission sought to dissolve the fund.

Since E-911 systems are now well-financed through the state taxing cell phones, the funding of the tower project by fire departments and local entities is no longer needed.

Kathy Wood, E-911/OES Director said, "We appreciate the faithful service of the volunteer firemen for their long-time efforts to maintain the radio towers."

Calhoun E-911 is currently embarking on a project to erect at least one new tower to improve communication to areas where radio service is sketchy.

Refunds issued to entities that paid into the fund:

Grantsville VFD: $2759.54

Calhoun EMS: $788.44

Minnie Hamilton: $394.22

Upper West Fork VFD: $2890.95

Arnoldsburg VFD: $2759.54

Sheriff Dept: $1576.88

Grantsville : $1971.10