Decorah School Board approves agreement that will lead to a new E9-1-1 communications tower

The current tower and bunker

The Decorah School Board Monday night approved the sale of a small piece of property on Twin Springs Road near Highway 9 to the Winneshiek County E9-1-1 Board.

The E 9-1-1 Board had previously owned the property, then sold it to the school district for $1 as they shifted equipment to the KVIK tower on Highway 9.

But several factors have made the E 9-1-1 board want to return to its original property.  The federal government, concerned about the growing demand for frequencies on the radio spectrum, has required police and other emergency services to switch to narrow band radios.  That caused some signal loss, which makes it important to have a high tower.  Also, there were concerns about interference from radio equipment on the KVIK tower.

Decorah POlice Chief Bill Nixon, who is the chair of the E 9-1-1 Board, says the plan is to put up a 300 foot tall tower on the former school district property--but also to allow the school district to use space on the tower.

The new tower will be built in part with funds raised by the surcharges that are placed on every phone bill in order to pay for 9-1-1 service.  The E 9-1-1 Board will also officially apply for some state and federal funds to help pay for the project.

Nixon says the new tower will help police officers better communicate with one another and with dispatchers.  He says if all goes according to plan, the new tower will be built some time next year.

The Decorah School District will also use the tower for some of its radios--and will have access to the climate-controlled bunker for off site back up storage.