Hamilton County officials now have a plan to let the county's "valley users group" and Norwood join the county's 800-megahertz emergency 911 radio system, while continuing to use their own dispatchers. But the privilege will come at a price.

Officials from Norwood and the municipalities of Reading, Amberley Village, Deer Park, Elmwood Place, Golf Manor, Indian Hill, Saint Bernard, Silverton and Wyoming - the valley users - were pleased to hear that news during this morning's county commission meeting.

But they now must determine if their governments can afford the price.

Norwood and the valley users grew concerned in recent weeks when they learned that to join the 800 megahertz radio system with the rest of the county, they would have to use the county's dispatchers. (The city of Cincinnati is developing its own 800 megahertz plans, which will put in place a compatible radio system.)

After the users complained - saying they wanted to keep their dispatchers while using the improved radio system - William Hinkle, the county's emergency communications director, last week proposed letting them use their dispatchers and having access to the county's radio system - but only during emergencies that require mutual aid with other emergency agencies.

Hinkle this morning made public a second plan: For an annual fee of up to $33,000 apiece, the communities can join and keep their dispatchers. They also must buy the necessary dispatching consoles.

Amberley Police Chief Jack Monahan said he was pleased to see progress, although he added, "I don't know what that fee structure is."

Golf Manor Councilman Charles Hughes, meanwhile, expressed concerns about his community's ability to pay for the $3,500-to-$5,000-per-officer radio that will be necessary to use the system. The 800 megahertz system comes on line in three years.

Commissioner John Dowlin suggested cities lobby state lawmakers to change the law so communities could borrow at low interest for the purpose. Reading Fire Chief Steve Ashbrock asked that the county also provide the valley users with 800 megahertz radios for their fire vehicles, like those provided to others in the county's communications system.

"We'll look at it, with no commitment," Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said. County Administrator David Krings, however, was angered by the suggestion the county should bear that cost.

Copyright 1999 The Cincinnati Post