Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Hinds E911 Funds: Going broke, Graham & Stokes vote to do nothing.

Hinds County EOC Director Mark Young told the Board of Supervisors yesterday the E911 fund will run out of money by October 2013. The bankrupting of the fund will occur six months sooner than projected last year. The Supervisors could not agree on a solution even though they all admitted action should be taken before the fund goes broke. A collection of police and fire officials from Jackson, Byram, and Clinton stood beside Mr. Young as he addressed the board.

E911 funds are collected through taxes on telephone service and are used to purchase radios, computers, and other telecommunications equipment used for 911 services. It is the primary source of funding for such purchases by county and municipal law enforcement and first responders. JJ reported last year:

"The fund will run out of money as payments to Airwave drain the account. Link to Airwave contract. Fee schedule on p.18. Airwave has two contracts with Hinds County for maintenance of the radio towers and another one for site maintenance. The contract for the radio towers pays Airwave $64,169 per month ($192,507 per quarter). The monthly payments escalate to $67,075 ($201,225 per quarter) in November and $70,429 ($211,287 per quarter) in November 2013. The contract expires in October 2014. The county pays $30,511 quarterly for site maintenance. The contract continues through 2017.

Unfortunately for fire and police departments in Hinds County, the fund runs out of money in March 2014 as the payments force the E911 fund into a deficit. The county make an annual $723,500 to Motorola for the lease/purchase of equipment for the Jackson radio system." Earlier post

The county collects $240,000 per month in E911 taxes but Mr. Young said the spending "exceeds" the revenue each month. The taxes are based primarily upon landline telephone service. However, such taxes are decreasing as more consumers ditch landlines for cellphones.

Mr. Young said the current Hinds County radio system is obsolete even though the county still owes $4 million. Mr. Young recommended making a comprehensive review of the infrastructure, radio system, and the debt before making any decisions. Supervisor Phil Fisher moved the board (23:00) ask the E911 council (made up of the police and fire officials in Hinds County) to analyze the system and make any necessary recommendations to the board. The motion failed on a 2-2 vote as Supervisors Graham and Stokes voted against the motion. Supervisor Doug Anderson was absent. Mr. Fisher asked Mr. Graham what the board intended to do about the fund since it would run out of money in September.

Mr. Graham replied "he didn't want it to be a political purchase" even though he had been "involved in such purchases". He said "we are talking about spending several million dollars" on a new system and the county needed independent experts to come in and help the county. Ms. Calhoun asked if he "had anyone in mind" and pointed out the county could ask the state for such help at no cost to Hinds County. She then moved the county ask the state for such help. The motion failed. Supervisor Fisher accused the board of "burying its heads on this" and avoiding dealing with the problem as September approached. Ms. Calhoun asked Mr. Stokes and Mr. Graham why they wanted to pay someone to "come in and do a needs assessment" when the E911 council could do it for free. She said the council was made up of chiefs whose lives were on the line and knew best what their needs are. She said when they call for help, they expect someone to answer on the other end of the line. Mr. Stokes shot back at Ms. Calhoun: "Its idiotic to say those things."

Mr. Graham addressed the state issue: "By saying we are going to get individuals from the state, I think I have as much expertise in this area as anyone in the state and outside the state so I'll be willing to help you... Half the people for the state I trained. I don't think I am any better than they are but I do have some expertise." (32:00) Ms. Calhoun asked "who better knows what the needs are than these gentlemen (chiefs) who are here?" Mr. Graham did not answer the question. He said "we are finished" and "we need to move forward with a needs assessment". Mr. Fisher asked "who is going to make the needs assessment?" Mr. Graham replied "by the board at a future date." Mr. Fisher said "I see" and "we are still refusing by board vote to take necessary actions" to address the problem. The board took no action and moved on to the rest of the agenda.

KF Editorial comment: Mr. Graham and Mr. Stokes are stalling until Doug Anderson is present so they can award a no-bid consulting contract to someone instead of letting the E911 Council or MWCC analyze the system and related costs for free.



Synopsis of Airwave : Airwave is owned by Stacy Stowers. Airwave has been the subject of some controversy after WLBT, the Northside Sun, and this website reported on the cozy deals Airwave has with Hinds County. Airwave obtained the following contracts: 

*Contract to maintain weather sirens even though the sirens are brand new and covered by a five-year warranty. JJ estimates the payments for the siren contracts are $149,194.

*Contract to maintain professional services for the emergency communications system. The contract price is $122,000 per year to maintain six tower sites.

*Maintenance contract for the 800 Mhz radio system. $4 million contract for six years. Year one: $374,860 ($93,715 per quarter), Year two: $521,885 ($130,463 per quarter), Year three: $736,918 ($184,229 per quarter), Year four: $770,035 ($192,508 per quarter), Year five: $804,908 ($201,227 per quarter), Year six: $845,153 ($211,288 per quarter) Two of the contracts were awarded in 2008 even though Airwave LLC did not exist as a company until 2009.


Related posts Hinds BOS refuse to terminate Airwave contract and bid out services, Hinds awards multi-million dollar contract to non-existent company, , Hinds paid $2.2 million to Airwave, Hinds county did not advertise for bids for Airwave contracts

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where is the white collar crime unit of the FBI?We remember how they went through BOS and at least slowed this kind of sweet heart deals to rest.

Anonymous said...

Someone take a look at the state 911 statute 19-5-313 that declares only "excess" 911 funds can be used to fund county radio communications and paging systems. It was never intended to be stretched to include the exorbitant "supposed" services that Airwaves milks the county for. No other county in the state pays those kinds of fees to any other suppliers, radio vendors or otherwise.

Kingfish said...

I know.

Anonymous said...

Something has got to be did about this!

Anonymous said...

There are some great alternatives for having this service provided to the county. These alternatives would cost a mere fraction of what we are paying now,and, the providers could actually be held accountable for the work that is done. Just look at how some of the other counties in the state are having this service provided. I do not believe that Airwaves or anyone associated with them are doing anything at all, much less work that is deserving of these kinds of payments. So far they have not produced any documents that can show what they are doing on a daily basis, but, they got a sweetheart contract that really doesn't even require them to show documentation. IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE CAN THAT MAKE THIS STOP????? They are wastefully (and criminally) spending our hard earned money and don't think they are doing anything wrong. I wish that someone, anyone, could walk up in one of those circus meetings and tell the self pronounced expert and Kenuf to their face what they are, greedy low life criminals.

Anonymous said...

Only one thing to do: move..

Anonymous said...

No sarcasm here. This is an absolutely honest question. Is there not anyone who has jurisdiction to investigate the BOS?

Shadowfax said...

Lighten up, haters. It's like the guy who was with the election commission; they just need some training.

Anonymous said...

I do hope that you are just kidding Shadow. I wouldn't call us haters, just law abiding citizens that get tired of smug self serving politicians breaking the law, lining thier pockets and getting by with it. If there is anyone out there that does not believe that the "expert or Mr. Wonderful" would not take money for their own selves, then ya'll are in another universe. The officials that could investigate this are looking the other way and doing nothing. I just wish the general public could do something. Kingfish, I sure do appreciate you staying on this.

Anonymous said...

Just watch-there will be a "no-bid" contract awarded before August due to the extreme urgency at hand. Graham and Stokes should be charged with malfeasance in office.

Anonymous said...

If you charged Stokes with malfeasance, he'd eat it.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.