About $7.5 million in general obligation bonds toward a new 9-1-1 system for DeSoto County is expected to be in hand early next year, DeSoto Emergency 9-1-1 District Commission officials said.

James Powell, 9-1-1 district deputy director, said the replacement, expected to be complete by fall 2015, is timely for a radio system dating back to 1991, ancient by digital telecommunications standards.

County financial consultant Demery Grubbs said he expects bond issue in late January or early February, with the money coming to the emergency district by late February or early March.

At their Dec. 1 meeting, the DeSoto Board of Supervisors gave final OK for issuance of up to $7.5 million in general obligation bonds requested by the 9-1-1 commission as part of the funding structure for the new radio system from Motorola. The total price tag is about $9.2 million; the commission will pay the difference from funds raised from phone-bill tariff income and will handle debt service on the 20-year bonds.

Also this month, the 9-1-1 commission agreed to repair microwave leaks at two of four communication towers, at Olive Branch and Hernando.Jim Marineau, president of operations contractor Integrated Communications of Memphis, said since there’s an operational backup system, the tower power “loops” can be disabled to allow a two-step process to determine where leaks are occurring, then repair them.

“There’s no danger whatsoever to the public,” 9-1-1 district commissioner Chris Shelton said Monday. He said the actual leak is due to the cables that feed the tower’s microwave links losing pressure. The cables are kept pressurized to keep moisture from getting inside; drops in pressure indicate leakage.

He said the leaks are not of a sort or level to pose danger.