After months of debate that included a lawsuit, the E-911 tower will be used by the city of Selma and Dallas County.

At Monday’s county commission meeting, Chairman Kim Ballard reported he, Mayor James Perkins Jr., County Attorney John Kelly III and City Attorney Jimmy Nunn have drafted an agreement “that simply says the City of Selma will be allowed to co-locate their antennas to the county’s antenna” on the 120-foot E-911 tower, located behind the Dallas County Courthouse.

That was the original intent when the tower was erected, county officials said.

However, the City of Selma filed a lawsuit against Dallas County regarding the tower in May 2006, citing the tower’s construction within city limits was in violation of two city ordinances.

The county won the case, the city appealed, but the court found in favor of the county, again.

What was once a controversial issue will now be an opportunity for city and county emergency response personnel to use the same frequency.

This move toward cooperation is a big step for some officials.

It should be just the first of many such moves toward working together for the betterment of the community.

The first priority on every issue should be what is best for the residents of the city of Selma and Dallas County.