The Webster County Telecommunications Center will be receiving some updated console equipment over the next couple months.

On Tuesday, the Webster County Board of Supervisors approved a bid to buy the equipment and installation for new dispatcher consoles in the center.

According to Brian Hitchcock, Webster County Telecommunications Center director, the console furniture in the 911 center is “well past the life expectancy” and has had a number of problems with the hydraulic lift and hardware falling off the consoles. The equipment is more than 12 years old and lacks the safety capabilities newer designs of console furniture have.

Hitchcock told the Board of Supervisors that he looked into companies that build this type of equipment and reached out to five to ask for proposals. He received two bids — Evans Furniture (Racom), of Marshalltown, for $105,903.59; and Xybix Systems Inc., of Littleton, Colorado, for $80,510.32.

“This is more expensive than your typical office furniture,” Hitchcock said.

Hitchcock told the board the Xybix proposal met all the requirements of the project and recommended the board approve the bid.

Part of the equipment and furniture replacement project will include removing the existing consoles and Hitchcock received a quote from Unplugged Wireless, of Perry, for $15,560.

In total, the project is going to cost $96,160.32.

The consoles will be replaced one at a time so as to not interfere with operations at the dispatch center. The project is expected to be complete by March.

In other business, the board also approved the promotion of dispatcher Christy Lumsden to communication manager, effective Dec. 25. Lumsden has been a dispatcher for Webster County for seven years. She will receive a salary of $57,000.