County readies for Code Red, still seeing black
By Janet Morales
Moberly Monitor-Index
Fri Sep 19, 2008, Moberly, Mo.
The Randolph County Commission is working with the City of Moberly to implement a countywide Code Red program. In May 22, the Moberly City Council approved a contract with Emergency Communications Network, Inc. to provide Code Red service to the city. The high-speed notification system was purchased at a cost of $7,500 to make emergency and other critical community alerts to residents within the Moberly city limits.
While not set up for use outside the city limits, county residents got a taste of the Code Red system in July when calls were sent to all residents inadvertently regarding a potential tornado in the area. Residents outside of Moberly liked the idea of phone notification and let the county commissioners know. Through the help of the Randolph County Ambulance District, which is paying the county’s $7,500 fee, residents throughout Randolph County will be part of the notification process.
Commissioners remind residents who have unlisted telephone numbers or only cell phones, to go online to sign up for the notification. At present, the registration can be done at the Moberly city website at moberlymo.org. The commission plans to add a link to its website in the near future.
Commissioners met with Jim Prescott of Keystone Pipeline this week to forge an agreement regarding maintenance on the pipeline that will run through Randolph County. The 2,148-mile Keystone Pipeline will transport crude oil from Hardisty, Alberta, Canada to Illinois and Oklahoma. The U.S. portion of the project will include approximately 1,379 miles of pipeline and pump stations. The company is obtaining easements, according to the commissioners, and expects to be working in the county from May through November of next year.
Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter said commissioners attended a FEMA meeting Wednesday to discuss the county’s eligibility for federal and state aid due to the damage, which occurred from June through August 15 by heavy rains. A FEMA caseworker has been assigned to help the county through the application process.
Commissioner Randy Asbury said the county has seen sales tax figures take a roller coaster ride this year. He said sales tax for the county is down $32,000 this month as compared to the same period last year; however, the county has seen a four percent increase overall so far this year.
Asbury said also that the “condition of the county is much improved over last year.” The county general revenue balance at this time last year was $30,000. It now stands at $392,700.
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