The Butler County commissioners Wednesday approved adding a $140,000 backup to the 911 emergency radio system.

The redundant system eliminates a single point of failure in the network.

A glitch occurred last month causing the frequency used to contact emergency crews to function intermittently, making it unreliable.

Although the county 911 dispatch center has other frequencies that can be used, emergency services officials played it safe by having all fire departments and ambulance services manned, so they could be reached by telephone if necessary.

Dispatchers still could reach police via the computers inside cruisers.

The trouble was pinpointed to a malfunctioning component at the 911 tower in the Sunnyview complex in Butler Township.

To address another aspect of public safety, the county salary board, comprised by the three commissioners and county controller, earlier that morning created a new full-time post for emergency services.

The quality assurance coordinator, which will be paid $22.75 an hour, will monitor 911 calls and help train dispatchers.

Steve Bicehouse, emergency services director, said in an interview each 911 call should be answered the same way.

He said if the state sends money acquired through fees added to cell phone bills, 70 percent of the job's salary and benefits will be covered.

During the meeting, Commissioner Bill McCarrier said the post was needed to meet state mandates.

“We're not here to create jobs,” he said.

Travel expenses incurred by county officials continues to be a bone of contention.Commissioner Jim Eckstein praised some employees for saving money on their business trips, but criticized his colleagues for taking their wives on trips.The other two commissioners, Bill McCarrier and Dale Pinkerton, said they pay the costs due to taking their spouses to conferences.McCarrier said he stopped seeking reimbursement for gas mileage and turnpike tolls.Eckstein's main gripe about travel expenses has been people staying at hotels where conferences occur rather than cheaper ones, which he does.A listing of his 2013 expenses indicates he stayed overnight at a Sheraton hotel in Pittsburgh for $135.When Eckstein was asked why he didn't drive back and forth to Pittsburgh, he said he was unfamiliar with that section of Pittsburgh.He stressed he paid a portion of the $135 to match guidelines set for federal government workers' travel.Eckstein complimented a few workers for saving what they could on business trips.He said even if $38 is saved each time, that helps the county.“It adds up to a lot of money,” Eckstein said.