County looks at a new mapping system

Local law enforcement officials are looking into a new mapping system.

Jay County Commissioners reviewed prices for upgrading the Jay County Sheriff’s Office mapping service Monday.

When the county switched several years back from mapping service Manatron to 39 Degrees North, the company did not have an option tying into 911 services, meaning the county could not plot 911 calls. The sheriff’s office started using CentralSquare Technologies for that service, while the county stayed with its own GIS system, Elevate. CentralSquare Technologies costs $3,646.52 annually.

Taylor Morris of Spillman explained the new Motorola Solutions software, Spillman Flex, integrates dispatch and a computer-aided drafting (CAD) mapping system together. The new program comes with a variety of features to aid with 911 calls, including the ability to track officers’ vehicles.

Spillman Flex will cost the county $90,000 upfront. That doesn’t include the county’s annual maintenance fees, starting with an additional $19,578.94 the first year, or maintenance fees paid by Portland, Pennville or Redkey. (Dunkirk does not use the same system.)

After five years, according to 911 director Bill Baldwin, the fees should decrease significantly.

If the county buys the new software before the end of June, Spillman will take off about 20%, or about $6,000 annually.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard asked Sheriff Ray Newton if he has money in his budget to cover the cost. He confirmed he does not, pointing out hopes to partner with the City of Portland to pay for the upgrade. (Earlier this month, commissioners talked about creating an inter-local agreement with the City of Portland for the purchase.)

Newton suggested using American Rescue Plan Act funds.

“I think this is going to be a plus for us,” he said. “I think … we need this.”

Commissioners agreed to host a joint session with Jay County Council soon to discuss the matter.