Boyle County Fiscal Court recently approved spending $43,827.90 for ergonomic dispatch stations for the 911 call center.  

After receiving two bids for the new furniture from Thomas Shelby (Watson Dispatch) for $45,592.35 and Xybix Systems Inc. for 43,827.90, the fiscal court approved Xybix as the winning bid.  

According to County Treasurer Mary Conley, the total budget available for the furniture is $48,000.

Besides the higher price, the Watson System did not have keyboard surfaces that are separately electronically controlled, as required by the workstation specifications in the bid requirements.  

“We currently have office furniture,” 911 call center’s communications director Rebecca Hafley said at a fiscal court meeting earlier this month. “We’ve had it for nine years. It’s sagging; it’s not holding up to what we use it for.”

According to the bid requirements, it was stated that the emergency personnel are required to manage at least four flat panel displays, additional communications and emergency equipment.  

“Workstations are utilized 24 hours per day/seven days per week by many different employees with different physical sizes and needs,” the requirements said.  

With the amount of use, it was required that the furniture lasts and is designed for the heavy amount of use.  

By using Xybix’s furniture, Hafley said the new stations will be adjustable and will make things more comfortable and flexible for dispatchers.  

The current set-up of the screens strain the necks of the workers, she said. The new stations will also allow for the five screens to be arrayed horizontally instead of vertically, which will cause less strain on their necks.  

The furniture is expected to be installed in February or March.