By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – McLean County will have to spend close to $1 million to upgrade its emergency communications system at MetCom.
Motorola’s StarCom 21 system is being overhauled statewide, meaning McLean County would either have to pay for the upgrades at a cost of $949,000 or move to a new system entirely.
“It’s still a heck of a lot of money,” County Board Justice Commitee Chairman William Caisley said. “Our hand is kind of being forced, but that’s the way it is.”
McLean County has been on the same system since 2006 and it’s about to become obsolete. Caisley said there’s also the issue of compatibilty with Bloomington as the city did its own StarCom upgrades last year.
“In order to maintain communication with the city of Bloomington, we really need to update our StarCom because it’s no longer going to be maintained by Motorola,” Caisley said.
MetCom director Tony Cannon said the new system will be easier for dispatchers to operate, but said there will be an adjustment period.
“It’s a matter of change and probably more money than people would like to see,” Cannon said. “I think that’s probably the biggest issue.”
The equipment will be installed early next year.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].