Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 3, 1994                   TAG: 9412230094
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: D4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VINTON COUNCIL MAY INCREASE 911 SERVICE FEE

Town Manager Clay Goodman delivered a report to council Tuesday that recommends the increase, based on a fiscal 1994 deficit of more than $6,000 to operate the service and on expenditures for new equipment to run it in the future. Council will hold a public hearing Nov. 17 on the proposed increase.

Vinton pays Bell Atlantic about $25,000 a year to operate 911, a system that identifies the telephone number and location of emergency calls if the caller is unable to. The town operates a dispatch system that allows information to be shared with Roanoke County.

Goodman said an increase of 11 cents is needed to cover the operating deficit. He recommends an additional 35 cents to cover the cost of new equipment that would be compatible with what the county uses.

"This sharing of information is very important due to overlapping jurisdiction lines served by the Vinton Fire Department and Vinton First Aid Crew," he said. "It is essential to the provisions of fire and emergency medical services that this link be maintained."

Roanoke County recently increased its monthly 911 fee from 46 cents to $1.06 to cover the cost of new equipment. A public safety team recommended the increase after evaluating the system and finding critical short- and long- term shortages in recapitalization needs. Goodman said Vinton's upgrade needs are based on keeping up with the county's.

If the increase is approved, Vinton will upgrade 911 computers and may buy a new 911 logging and recording device for an estimated $80,000.