This story has been updated to reflect that Poplarville’s 911 call volume is 4,888 calls per year, not 488.

The Poplarville Board of Aldermen discussed the E-911 consolidation during Tuesday’s meeting. The consolidation will create one dispatch location for all county first responders.

The Board has not approved the interlocal agreement for the E911 consolidation because they were waiting on specific numbers outlining the costs to the city of Poplarville. Currently the Sheriff’s Department conducts dispatching services for Poplarville’s Police and Fire departments.

Board member Tony Smith was tasked by the Board at a previous meeting to communicate with the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors to gather more information on the consolidation.

A five-year payout on the new E911 system equipment is estimated at approximately $1.5 million, said Smith. E911 funds cover some of those costs, but approximately $173,000 per year will need to be covered by other funds, he told the Board. Poplarville is being asked to contribute 7 percent of that $173,000 for equipment, said Smith.

Smith updated the rest of the Board members that based on Poplarville’s call volume of 4,888 calls per year, the equipment cost that Poplarville would be responsible for is estimated at $11,369 annually. Based on call volume, the city’s share of dispatcher payroll would be $29,804, but Smith said he has been told by the County Administrator that the city is not expected to contribute to payroll for the dispatch.

Smith said the worst case scenario would be that Poplarville would be responsible for approximately $41,000 annually for the system, but Smith believes the county would be satisfied with an annual contribution of approximately $11,369—the equipment cost.

In a separate matter, the Board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters in the police department.

After executive session, the Board accepted the resignation of Captain Al Tynes, and amended the agenda to request he remain on the part time roster, which was approved. Part time officer John Davis Herring was promoted to a full time officer position and Captain Greg Williams was appointed a deputy clerk, which allows him to help with court duties. The Board also amended the agenda to consider hiring Charles Kelly as a full time officer, which was subsequently approved, and to consider promoting Kimble Farmer to Captain, which was also approved.

In other business the Board:

—Appointed Fire Chief Jason Bannister the city’s Director of Emergency Management.

—Accepted a quote of $40,149 from CEI Concrete Services for replacing and reconstructing driveways and curbing along W. Beers Street, Pine Street, Strahan Street and a paved ditch along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

—Approved a change request to reduce the scope of work for removing poles and trees in the City Park paving project. The change reduces the cost of the work by $3,250. Board member Shirley Wiltshire said she was hopeful the contractor could get work done on the park while it is shut down during the local emergency.

—Accepted Lauren Baker’s resignation from the Poplarville Planning Commission and took appointing a new member to the vacant position under advisement.