Should Alpena County Commissioners spend $8,000 on a feasibility study to look at combining 911 operations with Montmorency County?

A decision is expected to be reached when commissioners meet Tuesday. The matter was brought before the county’s finance committee Wednesday, but after some discussion the committee decided to send it to the full board without a recommendation.

Originally the idea of a regional 911 center was appealing to some because it included Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties. Presque Isle opted out of the idea almost immediately and Alcona officials have not been returning phone calls so they are also considered “out” at this time.

That leaves only Alpena and Montmorency counties which could still save money by combining resources and sharing in future equipment purchases.

Finance committee member Gerald Fournier may support the feasibility study but he made it known that he strongly opposes a draft plan of the joint venture, presented by Alpena County 911 Emergency Services Coordinator Mike Szor.

The plan calls for the formation of an authority, which means the county would lose all oversight of 911 operations.

“Pigs would have to fly before I would support a plan like that,” Fournier said, noting he has no intention of giving up oversight of 911 services.

Szor reassured the finance committee the plan was only in draft form and many meetings and changes would be needed before a final plan were put into place.