Franklin BOC Approves Communications International for New 911 System

As expected, the Franklin County Commissioners have voted to approve the recommendation by County Manager Terry Harris and hire Communications International to install a new 911 Communications System.

Calling it a long, long process to find the right fit for the County, Harris again recommended CI at the Commission meeting Monday night and it passed unanimously.

At their work session last month, Harris went over the benefits of the CI system.

Harris added it will take approximately 18 months to fully install the new system.

Until then, the County will be operating on the old system but he said CI will also help to keep it going until the new system is up and running.

Harris told the Board that the total cost of the new system with discounts offered by CI will be $7.6 million.

Jacques pointed out that the price tag is less than half of what CI initially proposed and he commended Harris and County staff for negotiating that price down to what the County could afford.

According to Harris, the new 911 Communications system will be funded through various sources without having to burden the taxpayers.

He said the County has $3.5m left from the federal government’s American Rescue Plan Act funds which he said has to be used by the end of 2024.

Additionally, Harris said the Franklin County Fire Association has designated their portion of the insurance premium tax, which is another $500,000.

And then another $1m will come from excess SPLOST V monies which brings the total amount of money on hand to go towards the new system to $5 million.

The rest Harris said will be financed.

Now that it’s been approved by the Board, the timeline calls for Harris to sign the contract with CI by April 29.

Expected completion date for the new system is March 2026.