By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Meeting for a busy session Monday evening, the Henry County 911 Board approved the bid for the upcoming dispatch renovation project, approved salary adjustments for Director Mark Archer and Information Technology Manager Chad Howard, and heard an update on the Digital Radio Project Phase II.
Board members were presented with two bids for the renovation project: $105,200 from Owens Construction of Paris; and $190,000 from Barger Construction of Huntingdon.
After discussion and review, board members unanimously selection the bid from Owens Construction, noting it was not only lower, but that the Owens company is more familiar with the dispatch building since it performed the original remodeling on the building. The 911 building is on North Brewer Street in downtown Paris.
Upon recommendation of Archer, the board also extended a contract to Archi-ology of Murray for $1,500 to oversee the project to completion.
The dispatch remodeling will begin as soon as possible and it is hoped it will be done by July of 2022.
Board members unanimously approved 3 percent cost of living plus merit raises for Archer and Howard.
Archer presented a comparison of his years of experience and salary with 43 other 911 agencies, noting that although he has 25 years experience, his salary is at the low end of average salaries. Archer also noted that in his 25 years in the position, there have been no findings on any audits and noted how much the program has grown in that time. “I appreciate my job and I’m very happy and I hope you are happy with me,” he said.
Archer also noted that Howard “goes above and beyond” in his job and does much more than Information Technology, describing how much he does for the dispatch, local law enforcement agencies and even other agencies.
Board members agreed that both Archer and Howard deserved salary boosts for the jobs they have been doing.
In other business:
–Archer updated the board on the digital radio project Phase II, which he said continues moving forward. “We’re on schedule and right now we have 26 agencies up and running,” he said.
–The board approved the adjusted 2021-22 budget.
Photo: 911 Board members move through a busy agenda. (Shannon McFarlin photo).