911 upgrade concerns

Sikeston Mayor Jerry Pullen is sworn in to a new three-year term by Sikeston City Clerk Carroll Couch in an oath-of-office ceremony during the reorganizational Council meeting on Monday. (Photo by Scott Welton, Staff)

Sikeston officials say price will be more than suggested

scottw@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Sikeston's price to provide 911 dispatching for Scott County will be quite a bit higher than the county's offer.

Doug Friend, city manager, advised the Sikeston City Council during a reorganizational meeting Monday that staff have determined costs associated with the creation and operation of a joint dispatching center would require the city to charge the county about $300,000 more than the $500,000 suggested by Scott County officials.

Scott County approached the city asking to consolidate 911 services, Friend recalled. Over the last few weeks, city staff have worked to gather the figures.

The question city officials need to ask, Friend said, is: "What's it going to cost if we do 911 without the county?"

The answer, according to the latest figuring by city officials, is a total of $935,886 per year without having the county involved, he said.

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