JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Stutsman County will be one of the first five answering points in North Dakota to receive some of the first radio console replacement equipment in 2020.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist says in a recent meeting with Motorola, it was determined that Stutsman County would be one of the first answering points for the new consoles.

The new consoles would be part of the new statewide interoperable radio system that would connect all 22 dispatch centers in the state of North Dakota.

The Stutsman County Commission voted in June to approve the installation of the new consoles, which is estimated to around $366,000 and include encryption for the Sheriff’s Office & Law Enforcement.

Bergquist says they will continue working with the North Dakota Information Technology Department (ITD) to purchase the equipment as they work with Motorola.

Bergquist says because they are looking at an April 2020 date to purchase and install the equipment, they may also be able to replace 911 equipment at the same time.

In other commission news, Bergquist was selected to receive the 2019 Excellence in County Government Award from the North Dakota Association of Counties. Bergquist was nominated by Commissioner Dave Schwartz, Auditor Nicole Meland, Jessica Alonge and Kim Franklin.

He will be recognized on October 7th in Bismarck.