City sets aside $0.5M for 911

Council transfers money for new ambulance, 911 system upgrades, computer replacement

Wickliffe City Council has agreed to transfer over $500,000 from the city’s general fund to their capital projects fund. The money has been earmarked for upgrades to an 911 emergency call system.

According to Wickliffe Police Chief Randy Ice, the computer system currently in use is 10 years out of date and will soon no longer be supported from the original provider company. The department will be switching to a Motorola service provider with the changes slated to occur in 12 to 14 weeks from the date that the system is ordered, said Ice.

Happening sooner is the new ambulance the city will also be acquiring as a result of the reallocation of funds. The emergency services vehicle will be in city operation “as soon as the end of the month, or thereabout,” said Finance Director Debra Doles.

The resolution also switched $10,000 from the city street lighting fund to the general fund as part of a separate ongoing repayment plan.

Doles explained that the $10,000 coming from the street lighting fund was not to the detriment of any existing street lighting operations, but a return on part of the $100,000 that was previously loaned from the general fund years prior. To date, the street lighting fund still owes the general fund $70,000 as payments continue.

The ordinance, which required a two-thirds vote of council, was approved by all six members in attendance and Mayor John Barbish.