Bids will be sought on loan for 9-1-1 equipment and towers

The Winneshiek County Board has authorized seeking bids on loans for 9-1-1 equipment in the county.

The Emergency Management Board previously had taken out a loan of $1.4 million and wants to borrow up to an additional $750,000 to finish an upgrade of communications towers and equipment.

Early projections show combining the two loans at a reduced interest rate will lower payments and save an estimated $15,000 to $30,000 in interest over the life of the loan.   No additional taxes will be assessed; this is the culmination of the 9-1-1 Board's plan that funds have already been secured for—the board is simply looking to refinance and combine the two loans for a better interest rate.