Baxter County 911 hosting believed to be state’s first

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A 911 partnership initiative between Baxter and Marion counties, believed to be the first of its kind in Arkansas, will enhance emergency services while saving much-needed funding.

Baxter County Judge Mickey Pendergrass says the two counties will be utilizing what is called a host system with upgrades in their technology.


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Judge Pendergrass says the new partnership between Baxter and Marion counties may only be the beginning.


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The hosting opportunity comes at a time when the revenue stream for funding 911 systems has dwindled.


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Judge Pendergrass says because of the unanticipated costs to the county for the 911 operation, other county departments were being impacted.

He says a nominal fee will shift from landlines to cell phones in order to recoup the dollars needed for the 911 operation, noting cell phones are the source of 85 percent of the calls to the emergency center.

With those cell phone fees and taking other steps, Pendergrass says the cost of the 911 operation has been reduced to about $250,000 from county general funds, with a goal of reducing it to zero.

Pendergrass says maintaining and improving the emergency services operation is a continual challenge. He says services are continuing to be added, such as Smart 911, as well as equipment upgrades, including a new antenna system on the tower and new radios inside the 911 facility.

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