Costs of county 911 system increases $6.5 million

Two additional radio tower sites and 10 extra channels is nearly doubling the cost of a controversial countywide emergency telecommunication contract.

The DuPage County Emergency Telephone System Board approved an additional $6.5 million for the radio system that was contracted to Schaumburg-based Motorola in 2006 without a bid for $7 million. The additional channels and tower sites are needed to provide complete coverage to public safety departments whose jurisdictions go beyond the county's borders, officials said at Thursday's meeting.

The system is supposed to provide public safety departments throughout the county with radio equipment designed to make coordinating emergencies easier. Board members said the additional costs were expected as part of the second phase of the project, but did not say how much the contract would cost when all the phases were complete. So far, only $2.7 million has been paid out.

It is expected to go online for police departments in the county by 2011, fire departments the following year and other users in 2013. However, some county fire officials have concerns about the system's abilities inside burning structures. Others are concerned the contract may be in jeopardy because of a recent legal opinion regarding governance of the board.

Currently, the board is fairly autonomous despite having members appointed by the county board. However, a recent opinion from the DuPage County State's Attorney's office suggested the county board should have more oversight. County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom said he has had preliminary discussions about changing the bylaws and composition of the board. He doesn't have any problem with the Motorola contract, he said.

The telephone board is made up of seven members. Representatives come from the police chief's association, fire chief's association, the DuPage Public Safety Communications agency, the county board, sheriff's office, the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference and a citizen representative. There has been talk of adding representatives from the county's public works department, the office of emergency management and other county groups that would be called to action in a disaster.

The telephone board is seeking clarification of their status from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.