A process that began in 2011 to update the Cass County Communications/9-1-1 Center has reached full circle, with the facility coming online this week. It’s not been an easy road, with countless discussions held over whether the County should farm out dispatcher services, whether the center should be expanded and relocated in the courthouse to prepare for the Next Generation of communications equipment, or whether a separate facility was in order.

The Board of Supervisors, Public Safety and 9-1-1 Commission ultimately decided to purchase a building across the street from the courthouse and renovate the lower level to accommodate the dispatchers, equipment and the Emergency Management Director and 9-1-1 Director.

Cass County 9-1-1 Director Rob Koppert told the Board of Supervisors during their meeting this (Wednesday) morning, that the process was well worth the time and effort it took to bring it to fruition. Koppert thanked the Board of Supervisors for “Allowing us to have a nice place to work in, and the room to actually [be able to] stand up and stretch [without hitting another dispatcher]. We could have spent a million more to have a Taj Mahal, but we got a really great center for what you guys gave us, and I really thank you guys for that.”

Koppert said the County got its money worth out of the project. He said “We’ve got the County a very fiscally responsible 9-1-1 Center that is functional, and truly something to be proud of.”