McCracken Fiscal Court discusses new 911 working group to review equipment proposals

McCracken County Fiscal Court met on Monday and discussed the request for proposals related to the revamping of the 911 system. 

McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer said that he would be one of the county representatives on the group that will review the proposals. He will be joined on the panel by Deputy Judge Steve Doolittle, Sheriff Ryan Norman, and a representative of the county's volunteer fire department chiefs. 

Clymer said he believed Mayor George Bray would be joined on the city side by City Manager Daron Jordan, Police Chief Brian Laird, and Fire Chief Steve Kyle. Clymer said he wanted to discuss what method they would use to resolve any issues that could arise. 

The city and county are heading toward a full partnership in the system. Currently, the county functions as a customer of the city in terms of the dispatch center. 

Commissioner Eddie Jones raised the idea of exploring the county opening their own dispatch center to realize some possible savings. Judge Clymer and Commissioner Bill Bartlemann brought up the shooting over the weekend as an example of the overlap of city and county response. 

The Court did say that their aspirational goal should be for the city and county to reach an agreement to keep services together. 

The Court also passed an ordinance seeking input from substance abuse recovery providers as McCracken County looks to make decisions on ways to use opioid settlement funds coming from the state. 

An ordinance was also passed to issue a request for qualifications on a master plan for Carson Park. The county wants input from project professionals to find ideas for possible upgrades to the park.