Jennifer Estes Director of Loudon County's E-911 system, updated the county commission on the on-going plan to make her agency independent and to collect funds from the cities as well. 

The agency decided to make the move to independence when it was learned that E-911 employees could have difficulty entering the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement program, the same situation that prompted the Loudon County Economic Development Agency to become independent. 

Estes said the plan is to make E-911 its own entity and employees would become employees of the 911 District "the same as most of Tennessee." 

She said under the old arrangement they received approximately $725,000 per year from the county but the proposed change would lower that amount to $540,000. She also said E-911 expects to save another $36,000 on insurance costs.

Arp said when a change is discussed, "rumors spread" about possible changes to E-911 and putting it under another department head.  

Among them that Emergency Management Director Gordon Harless, who also heads the animal shelter, might take over but "he has his plate full" or Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guider who "doesn't want it." 

Arp said the only other alternative was for the E-911 director to report directly to the county mayor. He also said if the agency becomes independent, the county will have "no say" in running it. 

He said he hoped the cities would contribute to the agency but "I don't see that happening, they've never paid before." 

Arp said the make up of the E-911 Board would not change if the agency become a separate entity from the county.