Lyon County Emergency Management Director Jarrod Fell says the county is “using technology to our advantage” when it comes to its open burn reporting process.
Following the Lyon County Commission’s regular action session Thursday, the reporting process will now include an electronic option for residents to report burns. This means residents will not be limited to having to call the Lyon County Emergency Communications Center which typically sees a significant amount of phone traffic during the burn season.
LCECC Public Information Coordinator Christine Johson walks residents through the new process.
Fell says once an individual completes their application online, that information will be placed into an online dashboard for emergency responders. He says this will allow them to instantly find burn locations and could cut down on response times for emergency personnel in the event of a rekindle or out-of-control fire.
In addition to the new online process, residents will still be able to contact the Emergency Communications Center to report burns if they do not have access to the internet. However; residents are highly encouraged to find a way to access the online portal before calling in.
The new online process will be available hopefully within the next week after a formal publication of Thursday’s resolution, however, an exact date is currently pending. Residents can email info@lcecc.org with questions or go online to www.lyoncounty911.org/burn-faq for more information.
The reporting process is intended for unincorporated communities within the county. Residents of Emporia and other incorporated communities within Lyon County will still need to follow city ordinances regarding burning.
In other business, commissioners unanimously approved a three-year fixed-price contract with Constellation, a national natural gas distributor. County Facilities Director Mark McKenna says the county’s current contract with Constellation, a four-year agreement approved in 2017, is set to expire at the end of the month.
McKenna says the long-term deal will offer a range of benefits to the county in the long run as the total cost of the agreement will be just over $5 per 100 cubic feet of natural gas, which as of Wednesday was priced on the stock market at more than $6. McKenna estimates the fixed price could potentially save the county more than $12,000 annually.
Separately Thursday, commissioners tabled a GeoPermits Portal Development contract with Schneider Geospatial for web-based permitting until next week to further review the proposed contract. Johnson was also approved to attend the 2022 EMI PIO Basic Course from Mar. 22-26.
Commissioners also gave direction to continue pursuing a cost-share application for a project on County Road 110 from Road T to W including pulverization and cement work.
County commissioners will reconvene for their weekly action session next Thursday at 9 am inside the Lyon County Courthouse.
