The Floyd County Commission accepted Friday a proposal from TUSA Consulting Services to design and oversee construction of a countywide emergency communications system.

"They designed the system in Gulfport and Harrison County, Miss.," County Manager Kevin Poe told the board. "That system survived Hurricane Katrina."

Scotty Hancock, Floyd County Emergency Management Agency director, said a meeting will be scheduled with the firm next week to update a needs assessment.

The system is slated to be operational by May 2012, before the Jan. 1, 2013, federally mandated narrowbanding that will compromise the patchwork of UHF and VHF systems in place now.

The 2009 SPLOST package contains $26,696,250 for the 800 megahertz digital trunking system and towers. A committee narrowed 11 proposals to five finalists and interviewed the teams last week.

Poe said Tusa submitted a mid-range proposal of about $250,000 but included more work hours. The company also has a history of responsiveness and objectivity — working with different vendors instead of a single supplier.

"They know we want the system designed to get maximum competition when we put the components out for bid," he said.

The company’s home office is in Covington, La., but the assigned project manager lives in Decatur, Ga.

Also on Friday, the board approved a $44,433 addition to the Shannon Park Community Center construction cost to pay for a fire sprinkler system. The meter will cost another $20,000, Poe said.

The center is expected to open in March.

In other actions:

The board approved an $18,136 contract extension with WilburSmith Associates to conduct Phase II archaeological testing along the proposed route of the Armuchee Connector and bridge across the Oostanaula River.

Poe said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is requiring additional testing for prehistoric artifacts before it will issue permits for construction. A 90-day delay is expected.

The 2006 SPLOST package contains $12 million for the new 2.2-mile road to link Braves Boulevard with Old Summerville Road north of Mount Berry Square mall.

Commissioners recognized the Floyd County Water Department for an “outstanding performance” rating on its evaluation by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

Utility Director Steve Hulsey said the department’s overall score in 10 areas rose to 94.7 percent from 85 percent in three years “and the goal is still 100 percent.”