The Livingston County Board of Supervisors is pleased to announce the award of $598,108 in funding from New York State to support the county’s emergency communications system.
On March 29th, Governor Cuomo announced that counties will receive portions of $45 million in total funding to enhance their vital emergency communications systems. Livingston County will receive the award to maintain the system upgrade completed earlier this year, as well as continue with upgrades to enhance interoperability with surrounding counties, other members of the Finger Lakes 911 Consortium and New York State agencies. “We are very excited to be one of the counties selected for continued funding,” said County Administrator Ian Coyle. “This award will provide funding to help maintain our recent improvements and give us further opportunity to improve interoperability with adjacent counties and state partners.”
The awards are distributed through a State-funded Interoperable Communications Grant program supporting regional communications partnerships throughout New York State. This funding is in addition to the $5.9 million grant previously awarded to the county through the same program in 2014 and the $3.5 million granted in 2015. It is made available from the public safety surcharge, or E911 fee, that is collected from cellular phone bills, and paid to the State.
“Our emergency communications upgrades have transitioned all first responders within the county onto one radio solution that has greatly improved our abilities to respond to emergencies, and communicate effectively, both within the county and regionally,” Sheriff Tom Dougherty said. “This additional funding continues to keep the funding away from your tax bill and utilizes the 911 surcharges off your phone bill, not your state or local taxes. We will continue to push Albany to bring your 911 surcharge money back to our county and provide the many updates needed in our county dispatch center.”
