The Schuylkill County Commissioners voted to buy equipment for the 911 center totaling $2.197 million from Motorola Solutions Inc.

The six Nomad Remote Dispatch consoles and upgrades were approved by the county consultant and are another instance where the county is adapting to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If 911 was down we had to have something in place,” Gary Bender, county administrator said.

Funding for the expense will come from CARES Act money and is pending solicitor approval. Bender said the equipment will arrive no later than Dec. 31.

County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. voiced support for the equipment.

“This is again to make sure our 911 center and public safety, which is one of our core functions, that it’s seamless. That God forbid we have something that happens down at the 911 center (with people getting sick) that we have the ability to basically go remote to continue the work of the 911 center,” Halcovage said.

In other related COVID-19 developments, commissioners voted to buy a 2020 Ford Transit van with Havis Upfit from New Holland Auto Group for about $61,000, which will be done through a COSTARS contract. The expense qualifies for payment under the COVID-19 County’s Relief Block Grant. Bender said the van can accommodate six prisoners and two drivers.

“This isn’t something that the sheriff wanted. It is something that is absolutely necessary to deal with the current COVID-19 pandemic for separation and social distancing,” Bender said, adding the expense was approved by the consultant.

Paul Buber, finance director, requested approval to shift spending from one contract to another related to expenditures of CARES Act money.

He said commissioners approved a contract several weeks ago for $90,000 to monitor CARES Act spending.

“We are not increasing our overall spending, “Buber said.

Simply, the first entity is providing technical assistance for policies and procedures while the other is monitoring and reviewing of expenditures to comply with CARES Act requirements.

“Documentation involved with this CARES Act is very important because of the oversight that is involved,” Buber said.

The first contract approved was with Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC. The contract voted for Wednesday was a fee for service contract with Susquehanna Accounting & Consulting Solutions Inc, for monitoring and reviewing expenses for the CARES Act.

Halcovage said the two firms have worked with larger counties statewide to assist them in complying with legal requirements of the CARES Act.

“They really have their finger on the pulse of what is allowable and what is not allowable,” Halcovage said, adding the county could be financially responsible if money was spent that wasn’t permitted.

Commissioner Gary Hess said the county wants to be responsible with money.

“The commissioners are also responsible for not just this money, but for every cent that is spent through this county, so again I know we are very careful on how we spend it,” Hess said.