Lyon County Commissioners approved payment for a new emergency alert system for Lyon County first responders during their weekly action session Thursday.
Lyon County Emergency Communications Center Director Roxanne Van Gundy made the request of payment for the installation of Hiplink an emergency alert system which will essentially replace the county’s current Active 911 system. Van Gundy says discussions on the new system began following the incident at Hobby Lobby earlier this year which led to the shutdown of three separate school buildings.
Van Gundy says the response of emergency personnel was highly efficient during that situation, however, that does not mean it cannot be improved upon, hence the new system.
The total cost of the system will be just over $58,000 and will be split between eight local agencies for an individual cost just over $6,500. In the future, Van Gundy is hopeful they’ll be able to extend the system beyond emergency personnel into local school districts.
A timeline for the installation of the new system is currently pending.
In other business, North-Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Director Julie Govert Walter presented the agency’s third-quarter report before the commission. According to Govert-Walter, the Friendship Center provided information, referrals and assistance to 361 customers between July and September and distributed over 300 commodity boxes to customers in the same time period.
Govert-Walter also reported they have around 130 RSVP volunteers now listed with the organization. She says this is very near to their goal of 190 volunteers which was stated within the original RSVP grant.
Govert-Walter also reported they are currently seeking a building manager for the Friendship Center. According to Govert-Walter, the agency has been able to fully support all of the building’s operations and the manager position would be utilized to help “dot the i’s and cross the t’s.”
If you are interested in filling this position contact the Friendship Center at 620-340-8001.
Additionally, commissioners used a coin flip as a tie-breaker for one of two positions on the Olpe City Council. Les Farr was the winner of the toss and will now hold a seat on the council.
Commissioners also approved several requests from the Lyon County Road and Bridge Department including a resolution to post weight limits on 17 different bridges. Approval was also given for the installation of a new software for the courthouse door security system for a total of $4,118 from Kansas Security of Lebo.
Commissioners will reconvene for their weekly action session next Thursday at 8 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
