An agreement between Warren County, Vicksburg and the Mississippi Wireless Communications Commission will provide an opportunity for the county and city to enhance their emergency communications capabilities.

The Board of Supervisors Monday approved an agreement with the commission to install communications equipment on a tower in the Edwards area in Hinds County.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a similar agreement at its Monday meeting. There is no cost to the county or city to use the tower.

The agreement is part of the county’s agreement to join the state’s MSWIN statewide emergency communications network. Final approval of the agreement is contingent of the result of negotiations between the Wireless Communications Commission and Hinds County.

Board attorney Blake Teller said the WCC wanted the county and city to sign the agreements in advance “and have it available subject to Hinds County’s approval of allowing us to also participate in that site.”

“The reason they wanted us to go ahead and sign, is as soon as they clear that up between the wireless commission and Hinds County, we can immediately move on and install equipment,” he said, adding WCC officials believe the issue will be resolved by Nov. 29.

Warren County Emergency Management director John Elfer said the dispute between WCC and Hinds County involved a lease on another tower in Clinton and some issues concerning 16th Section land.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with us,” he said.

“Once they sign with Hinds County, we’re good to go.”

Elfer said Warren County will have access to a total of five towers in Warren County “and if we need them, they will be able to hook into other towers hooked in the system that are not in Warren County, so we’re getting a better system than what we have now.”