Effingham County commissioners could get a contract in their hands this week from the firm that operates the LifeStar emergency helicopter.

County officials and LifeStar first began talking about the helicopter’s flight operations moving to Effingham more than a year ago. The helicopter had been displaced from its home of nearly 20 years at Memorial University Medical Center and took up a temporary home at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

“The helicopter has changed hands, and a lot has changed hands,” Commissioner Reggie Loper said.

Omniflight is the operator of the LifeStar flight ambulance. Effingham is centrally located to the helicopter’s service range and the Effingham Industrial Development Authority also has supported the move. Many of LifeStar’s employees live in Effingham.

County commissioners voted 4-1 last September to enter into a contract to land the helicopter.

A new home for LifeStar also may have room for the county EMS.

County commissioners approved on Tuesday the makeup of an E-911 advisory board, which is required by state law. Board members include representatives from public safety agencies, a representative from each city and County Administrator David Crawley, who will be a non-voting board member.

The board will delve into the operations of the facility, Crawley said.

The 911 center is expected to be finished by the end of the year and is expected to be ready for dispatchers in late December or early January, according to county administrative assistant Adam Kobek. The 9,500 square foot building is being erected along Courthouse Road.

“I’m glad to see we’re taking it to the next step,” Commissioner Verna Phillips said.

Said Commissioner Hubert Sapp: “I feel the changes that are being made are going to be beneficial to the public.”

The county has a 911 charge on phone bills, but commissioners also want to know how much is — and isn’t — from cell phones. The county has not had an independent auditor to go through the 911 cell phone fees.

“There’s been a lot of discussion in the legislature on pre-paid fees and how they will be paid back,” Crawley said.