Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk plans to fully fund the replacement of the 911 center's antiquated computer dispatch system, though questions remain about her plan to purchase new police dispatch software.

Falk's office informed the 911 board Monday that she would recommend borrowing $2 million to replace the computer system in her 2009 capital budget, which will be released by Oct. 1.

The county's long-term capital plan has previously included that amount for 2009, but Falk originally proposed pushing the project back to 2010.

Her budget announcement focused more on $167,000 for the dispatch software, which would introduce nationally recognized police protocols and enhance quality control.

Falk offered $150,000 last week to begin work on the computer project next year, but the 911 board objected to any delay in the computer replacement while taking on the new dispatch software, which has yet to be vetted by local police agencies.

On top of the new computer system and software, the 911 center is already working on a new $30 million emergency radio system, increasing the number of dispatcher consoles and adding several staff positions.

"To try to undertake (all of those projects), in my opinion, would be a massive undertaking," said Verona Police Chief Bernie Coughlin, who represents the Dane County Chiefs of Police Association on the 911 board. "I don't know how you would handle them all in the same year."

Falk's proposed budget includes an additional manager to help coordinate the software project.

"We are taking on a little bit more, but we're adding resources in the capital and operating budget to do that," said Topf Wells, Falk's chief of staff.

Compounding the challenge, the center will take on the projects under new leadership.

Embattled 911 director Joe Norwick turned in his resignation Sept. 2, months after being criticized for the center's mishandling of a call from homicide victim Brittany Zimmermann's cell phone.

Falk said stress was one of the reasons Norwick quit. At a 911 board meeting last month, Norwick defended delaying the computer system, saying the center had a lot on its plate next year. He has not returned phone calls to shed any more light on the reasons for his resignation.