Caswell County weighs replacing 911 generator and separating utilities from old detention center

The county's 9-1-1 director told the Board of Commissioners the Caswell County 911 center remains dependent on electrical, water and backup power routed through an unused detention center and is not up to code.

Kenneth Everett said the breaker failure at the detention facility last December led to an outage at the dispatch center and prompted the proposed infrastructure correction: relocate the main electrical service and install an external panel and dedicated Duke Energy service, install a new water line routed in the same trench, and provide a new emergency (industrial/emergency-power) generator and transfer switch sized for a 911 facility. "On the some original quotes...the state 9-1-1 board...have agreed and reviewed it to pay, between $1.25 and $1.30 of the overall project for the generator, the transfer switch, and the power," Everett said, adding the state will not cover waterline costs.

Everett outlined a budgetary split: the NC 9-1-1 board would cover roughly 75% of eligible generator and electrical costs, leaving an estimated county share of $38,000–$43,000 once ineligible items and the waterline are included. He warned of lengthy procurement lead times — about 24 weeks for the generator and 37 weeks for the transfer switch — and asked for guidance about ordering equipment now or waiting to include the cost in the FY26–27 budget.

Commissioners emphasized separating power and water from the old jail so the facility can be demolished in the future. Public-works staff explained details of the water connection and how the county plans to disconnect the jail: "That building...the jail will be completely off of it," said maintenance staff involved in the assessment.

The board did not immediately approve procurement but directed staff to present budget numbers at the upcoming retreat and to seek counsel from finance staff about a possible budget transfer. Commissioners discussed timing and recommended further review at the retreat before committing county funds required in the next fiscal year.