Sweeping changes may be ahead for Manatee County's 911 system.

As a potential cost-cutting move, officials are considering consolidation of its 911 operations. Currently, the county has 45 911 operators based in Bradenton, Palmetto and Longboat Key.

According to partner newspaper the Bradenton Herald, Manatee County director of information technology Paul Alexander said consolidating 911 operations could save $500,000.

Speaking at a Council of Governments meeting recently in Bradenton, Alexander said the move would save half a million dollars in capital costs and additional sums in operational expenses over time.

His idea also including trimming the number of call operators from 45 to 28 and creating a fully synchronized and backed-up 911 system that could handle more complex information such as streaming video, pictures, text messages and email.

County officials want to change from what is considered an outdated telephone-only system.

Officials said they will meet soon to determine what they want in a new 911 system.