SAFFORD — A change in how the state handles bids for 9-1-1 services required Graham County spend $450,751.88 that was not in the budget.
“In the past, they (the state) contracted with a vendor, and they just paid them directly. The Auditor General kind of changed the rules on us, and they said, ‘No, the counties need to pay it and just get reimbursed,’ ” said County Manager Dustin Welker.
The funds will be used to install four new 9-1-1 consoles in the Graham County Dispatch Center, as well as purchase any required software.
The 9-1-1 system is bid out every five years, with AT&T the successful bidder for this cycle. Welker said there will be a decrease in the quarterly fees for the new system.
Despite it being an expenditure not included in the budget, Welker said there are sufficient contingency funds to cover the cost until the state issues reimbursement.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Monday to make the expenditure.
