The Marion County Board Tuesday night tabled implementation of a countywide Nixle emergency alert system.
The decision came after debate broke out about how to pay for it and if it is really needed.
A special committee working on better severe warning notification for county residents had recommended the system that would not only deliver severe weather warnings but would be available for other emergency notifications and for individual communities to use to alert residents to special events.
The first debate was over the committee’s recommendation the entire $11,740 annual cost for the three year contract would be paid for out of the county’s quarter cent tax for public safety. Board Chair Debbie Smith didn’t like that idea.
“Everytime something comes up and if it qualifies we want to take it out of the safety tax. Some point in time that safety tax is going to be milked when we really need it. If there is a short coming in reference to the Sheriffs Department it won’t be there. $11,740 is not very much, but you keep adding this every year with more you want to take out of the safety tax, then you have less safety tax revenue.”
Smith suggested the cities of Centralia and Salem pay their fair share of the cost, but Committee Chair Steve Whritenour noted everyone in the county along with those passing through pay into the quarter cent tax. He says after the initial three years, they could look at a split of the cost.
Building Committee Chair Dr. Creighton Engel likes the system, but is also concerned about the county footing the entire bill.
“All of us use cell phones. It’s going to come via text, email, and it could also come with land lines. Even if the person does not have a cell phone or is where there is bad cell service, but they have a land line they could also receive notices. In some areas you may not hear a tornado siren if it even goes off. It is a much better system to look at.”
Engel warned they are not done with needed renovation at the jail, so the public tax money will be needed for that expense. A new vehicle for the sheriff’s department along with the new courthouse deputy are already being taken out of the fund in next year’s budget.
Meanwhile, new Board member Brock Waggoner questions the need for the service noting all his devices already go off with emergency weather notifications. He notes the number of landlines is continuing to shrink and he questions if family members don’t already make sure that those residents know about severe weather. Waggoner wants data on the type of people now using the Nixel system in Salem and if it is redundant information.
A demonstration of the system will be given to new board members and others at the next committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 20th, when there will also be further discussion on the need and how to pay for the system. The full board would still have a chance to vote in favor of the system at its December 27th meeting to beat a January 1st price increase.
In other action, the board reappointed Ben Stratemeyer and appointed Tabitha Meador to openings on the Illinois South Tourism Board over Waggoner’s objection.
The board unanimously appointed Faith Barton and Lisa Ambuehl to the 708 Mental Health Board.
Sheriff Kevin Cripps was named to replace former Sheriff Andy Garden on the 911 Emergency Phone Board.
The board was reminded the Liquor License Application for Lucky Barn, LLC will be discussed at the December 27th meeting and a final vote taken on the issue.
