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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The transfer process of the Public Service Answering Point System from Valley City to Barnes County is moving forward slowly.

One issue is the clean up of lead in the basement of the law enforcement center after the state closed an indoor shooting range. Barnes County Commission President Eldred Knutson says the facility needs to be cleaned up being the 9-1-1 dispatch center is in the same building.

One proposed change in the county PSAP plan came from Commissioner Phil Leitner. He believes the 9-1-1 coordinator should be a department head to avoid influence from other department heads.

Knutson agreed and added that the 9-1-1 coordinator should also be a part time dispatcher.

Knutson said a new lease agreement with the city needs to be settled before they can move forward with remodeling plans for new PSAP equipment.

Barnes County officials are studying the best financial option as they pursue a joint agreement with Stutsman and Richland Counties sharing the purchase cost of new 9-1-1 equipment. No decision has been made on the joint agreement proposal which remains under review.