The Door County Board decided Tuesday to tap into the county’s fund balance in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to pay for replacing & upgrading the audio-visual equipment for Door County Circuit Court branch one & two. The funding is needed to fix a failing system that began experiencing problems in the fall of 2012. The technology is used to provide video conferencing for individuals who might otherwise have to be transported to the Justice Center in Sturgeon Bay from other counties. It is believed the electronic gear provides cost savings in the long run in a variety of ways. About a year ago, the county board agreed to transfer $200,000 to pay for video-conferencing in branch one & two & audio as needed in all three court rooms. However, the lowest bid received in February came in at just over $299,406. Hence the need for the additional dollars to the county system in compliance with state statutes.
The Door County Sheriff’s Department will be able to take advantage of a federal government program & add an armored personnel carrier to its fleet as a result of action taken by the county board Tuesday. The vehicle, officially called the Caiman six by six MRAP(Mine Resistant Ambush Protected), is a heavily armored, highly maneuverable truck that has been battle-tested in Afghanistan. It is expected to be used, if needed, by the department’s SWAT team. Valued at several hundred thousand dollars, the vehicle will be transported to Door County via flat bed trailer at a cost of $4,500 dollars.
The concept of a south ambulance station, operated in conjunction with the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department, was endorsed by county board supervisors during their regular meeting Tuesday morning. The towns of Brussels, Union & Gardner are considering the construction of a joint fire station located along County C in the Town of Brussels. The resolution approved by the county board indicates that a south station facility, not to exceed 4,485 square feet, should be incorporated in plans for the BUG fire station so as to provide emergency medical services in the southern Door County towns. The county’s participation in the project is subject to a negotiated intergovernmental agreement approved by all parties & the appropriation of the requisite funding by the county.
