TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
David Johnson, Emergency Services Director
FROM: Karen Rackard, 911 Coordinator
DATE: May 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Authorization to Apply for Florida Emergency Communications Board 911 State Grant
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BACKGROUND
Staff have become aware of the availability of funding for improvements to our 911 Call Taking equipment and software from the Florida Emergency Communications Board (FECB) 911 State Grant for all four Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), located at the Sheriff’s Office, City of Sebastian, City of Vero Beach, and at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
ANALYSIS
The current call-taking map, which is utilized by all four PSAP locations, has been in use since 2020 and no longer fits the County’s needs for usability and adaptability, especially as related to data storage. Staff are also seeking Board approval to apply for the Florida Emergency Communications Board (FECB) 911 State Grant. The Florida 9-1-1 State Grant Program will fund the two years of the project, should Indian River County receive an allocation from the 9-1-1 Board. The Chairman must sign the grant application before submittal to the 9-1-1 Board.
Staff would like to apply for grant funding in the amount of $126,500 to facilitate the improvements, with funds anticipated to be made available in the summer of 2025. The total cost of the Call Taking equipment is $302,000 over 5 years. If the initial $126,500 grant is awarded, the additional funds will be applied for in future years to cover the remaining cost.
After funding is approved, the work is anticipated to be executed by the current PSAP maintenance provider, after approval by the Board.
The project is anticipated to be implemented in year one following Statement of Work details. Year one includes a one-time NRC (non-recurring cost/set up fees) followed by requiring license fees once signed off and implemented by agency. Year two will only include license fees.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no budgetary impact at this time, as this item is for authorization to apply for the grant. If the grant is awarded, funding will be allocated when it is brought back to the Board for approval.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Public Safety
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommend that the Board authorize staff to apply for the Florida Emergency Communications Board (FECB) 911 State Grant to facilitate improvements to the 911 Call Taking system and application authorize the Chairman to execute and authorize the Director of Emergency Services to sign any documents necessary with the Florida E9-1-1 State Grant to execute the work, after review and approval by the County attorney as to form a legal sufficiency.