COTTON CO., Okla_ The pressure is
on in Cotton County. They're under orders from the
state to install an enhanced 911 system.
Tuesday, voters
will decide on a fee to pay for it. Back in 2006, legislature mandated that all
counties would have this new system in place by January of 2013, so Cotton County
is behind schedule.
There are two
propositions on this Tuesday's ballot. One would add a 50 cent monthly fee to
their cell phone bills, and the other would add about a $3 monthly increase to
their landline connections.
Cotton County District
2 Commissioner Chris Lipscomb said if residents don't approve the phone bill
fee, the state will decide how the County will pay for the E911 service.
"We don't
want the state into our business," Lipscomb said. "We want to control it for
the benefit of the voters of Cotton
County."
Commissioner Lipscomb
said if the two proposals pass, they will go towards the upkeep of the E911
system. He said residents should remember the benefit the enhanced 911 system
will offer Cotton
County.
"The basic
911 we got now will call the sheriff's department," Lipscomb said, "But they
cannot pinpoint where the phone call has come from. With the E911, once that
call's made, then the dispatcher can direct the personnel right to where that
phone call was made."
Commissioner Lipscomb
said so far, everyone he's talked to about the proposals is in favor of them
passing.
"They
think we need to keep up with the technology," Lipscomb said. "The way things
are going, Cotton
County shouldn't be left
behind."
He said he
hopes come February 12th, residents will make the right decision.
"Hopefully,
the voters get out and improve it," Lipscomb said. "It'll be a great benefit
for the County."
Now, Lipscomb said
getting the proposals passed is the first step. The next steps include finding
money to run the system, addressing and mapping the whole County, and putting
street signs up. He said the County will apply for grants to foot the bill.
