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County Government finishes $2.3M digital dispatch improvement and reveals significant project plans.

A meeting of the Graham County Board of Supervisors on July 21, 2025, showcased the county’s significant achievements and plans for the future. A key highlight was the $2.3 million upgrade to the Motorola Dispatch System, transitioning from analog to digital. This project involved the sheriff’s office and various communication tools, funded through state resources, largely due to the efforts of Sheriff Allred and House McCormick.

In addition to the dispatch system improvements, the county reported progress on various infrastructure initiatives. For instance, a drinking fountain was installed at the fair venue, and plans for master landscaping, along with water lines and drainage, have initiated. The county also celebrated reducing unsubstantiated responsibility in the Public Safety Human Resources Retirement System (PSPRS) from $4 million to nearly zero in just four years.

Other significant developments included the construction of new search and rescue training facilities and enhancements to the often-overlooked dirt roads. Additionally, playground equipment has been updated in shaded areas for better maintenance. The county also completed several IT improvements, replacing storage servers and transitioning to a fully electronic accounts payable system.

Looking ahead, the county’s general funding budget for the next year is projected at $62.8 million, with a total budget of $132.2 million. This includes a 4% raise for employees, maintaining the current contribution match for health benefits for the 14th consecutive year. Upcoming projects will focus on rewriting the zoning ordinance, further developing Gira River Linear Park, and enhancing the dispatch center with CAD mapping and AI paging systems.

The meeting underlined the county’s dedication to improving public safety, infrastructure, and community services, setting an optimistic tone for the year ahead.