The first 911 system in the village’s dispatch center was installed in 1985. At that time, Lake Orion paid an annual maintenance service agreement to Ameritech based on half of the cost of the agreement. Oakland County Information Technology paid the other half.
According to LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh, the fee was paid up until 1999. “In 1999 we received new 911 equipment and technology improvements at no cost as provided by fees collected from user telephone bills across the county,” he added.
The surcharge was OK’d by Oakland County Commissioners for the purpose of purchasing the 911 equipment and the pending 800 MHZ county-wide police radio communications’ system.
Narsh said implementation of the new 911 system throughout the county took three years (1999-2002). A one year warranty went into effect in 2002.
“We actually had a four year break from having to pay a service agreement,” he added.
The village committed to a new agreement at the Sept. 22 village council meeting. The annual price is $7,405.
The county will again reimburse the 911 centers of half this annual fee. The village, through its agreement with Orion Township for 911 and fire dispatch services, will be reimbursed for half the remaining price. The final amount that will be paid by the village is $1,851.