Despite some lingering concerns town council last week unanimously approved upgrades to the Apex Emergency Communications Center.

Cost of the enhancements is projected at $427,000 although town officials are optimistic that ongoing negotiations can trim approximately $30,000 from the overall price tag.

None of the elected officials doubted that the aging communications equipment was in need of an overhaul. But council did voice their displeasure of being notified about the poor condition of the equipment only weeks after the 2009-10 fiscal year budget had been completed.

Police chief Jack Lewis seemed to have surprised council last month when he initially made the $427,000 budget amendment request. Lewis also stated that he became aware of the need for upgrades last year.

Town manager Bruce Radford said council wasn’t informed because town staff was involved in lengthy negotiations to knock down the cost. Eventually, noted Radford, the cost was lowered by about $300,000.

Both Councilmen Gene Schulze and Mike Jones recently visited the center and agreed that upgrades were needed. But they also expressed their displeasure about the timing of the request.

“Clearly we need the equipment,” said Schulze. “It is the right thing to do. But I don’t like surprises.”

Jones said council probably should have surmised that upgrades “were coming sooner or later” but still would have preferred them included in the project budget.

“We don’t like surprises and unfortunately we had one,” said Mayor Keith Weatherly. “But we don’t want anything less than top equipment. Our top priority has always been public safety. I know we have the best personnel and now hopefully we will have the best equipment.”

Councilmen Bill Sutton said he agreed that new equipment was necessary but he was displeased by the request process.

“We could have put this in the annual budget,” said Sutton. “We have public hearings, workshops, and a council retreat. We could have discussed it but we weren’t allowed to do that.

“It makes me feel like we were manipulated and I don’t like that. There’s also no need for us to be manipulated. We have always provided for public safety.”

Radford assured Sutton that no one was attempting to manipulate the process or town council. Following the meeting Radford accepted full blame for the timing of the request.

“I completely understand why council is upset and that is my fault,” said Radford. “Chief Lewis was standing at the podium during the meeting so their words were directed at him. But their words should have been directed at me because that was my responsibility.”