By Betsy Finklea
A proposed vehicle for E-9-1-1 was presented at the October 8th special meeting of the Dillon County Council.
When the agenda item was brought up, Councilman T.F. “Buzzy” Finklea, Jr., immediately addressed Chairman Stevie Grice and said that he would listen to what E-9-1-1 Director Sonny McRae had to say, but that they also had a vehicle need at the Coroners office that must be discussed, and he wanted to take both vehicles and discuss it at the regular meeting.
McRae said that he was requesting a transportation vehicle for training purposes. He said their current vehicle is an increasing liability and breaks down regularly. Employees have been to Columbia twice where they and problems, and the vehicle had to be fixed.
He said in order to keep the 9-1-1 dispatchers up to standard, it is imperative that they attended the required training mandated by the state.
McRae said a SLED audit said that the E-9-1-1 center is one of the best operated and main funded agencies in SC out of the four regions of the state.
McRae said he had gone online to the Love’s dealership and found the vehicle they wanted. He said the government price is going to be about $30,000- $35,000.
McRae said they had the money in their subscriber billing funds.
Their current vehicle is a 2006 with 200,000 miles.
Finklea said he was not against the vehicle, but he wanted to table the matter ad discuss both vehicles at the same time. He made a motion to table the matter. This was seconded by Councilman James Campbell. The motion was passed.