City looks to advance 911 project

Staff report

NEWTON FALLS — City council wants to move forward with a plan to upgrade 911 equipment after a ruling from Ohio Attorney General’s Office sided with independent 911 operators in Trumbull County.

The ruling said the county had to provide money for upgrades, about $44,000 in Newton Falls’ situation. The city is one of seven communities in Trumbull County that do not use the county 911 system and instead dispatch their own safety forces.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Pat Layshock was looking to move forward in the situation but said the city “is not receiving any cooperation from the [Trumbull] County Commissioner’s office.” He said he has been trying to set up a meeting with the 911 planning committee to address the concerns, but numerous phone calls and letters have not resulted in a meeting.

Newton Falls Law Director Richard Schwartz said that the city would probably have to buy the equipment, then sue the county if it did not cover the costs involved.