The Princeton City Council has agreed to help fund new communications equipment approved by the Caldwell County Fiscal Court last week to enhance safety for emergency responders.
Judge-Executive Kota Young informed the City Council that the county has received a $191,500 state Homeland Security Grant for the purchase of mobile radios. He explained that the funding will help cover part of the cost for 45 Motorola vehicular mobile radios, which were approved by magistrates at last week’s meeting.
click to download audioHe added that this is the first in a three-prong approach to upgrade radio response equipment across emergency response departments.
click to download audioHe suggested moving ahead with the higher cost to buy all 45 radios, rather than just 27, to complete this phase of the multi-year project and position the county for future grant opportunities for other types of radios.
Young explained the remaining difference in the cost is about $118,000 and proposed to the Council splitting it 55-45 between the city and county. Of the 45 radios, he noted 25 would go on city vehicles and 20 on county vehicles, including 19 for the police department.
click to download audioYoung said this purchase would replace the current various radio brands with a single brand and maintenance contract.
After the discussion, the City Council unanimously approved the purchase of the vehicular mobile radios.
In other new business, the Council approved a municipal order updating the personnel policy on vacation and sick leave, along with a new information technology acceptable use policy for employees based on the Kentucky League of Cities model.
The Council also approved a resolution authorizing an assistance agreement between the City and the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority to provide up to $600,000 of loan funds for a water department project.
During reports, Mayor Brock Thomas announced some good news from FEMA about the two bridges that were damaged by flooding this past spring.
click to download audioDuring her report, Planning and Zoning Administrator Jenny Clark announced Domino’s will be opening in a couple of weeks.
click to download audioAt the meeting, Mayor Thomas also welcomed and introduced Trinity Bynum as the new Deputy Clerk, noting she began her duties with the City last week.
