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Sheriffs and county leaders press for NextGen 911, MARCS support and cybersecurity grants
Summary
Sheriff Michael Simpson and the County Commissioners Association asked the committee to preserve House funding for NextGen 911 implementation, MARCS radio user fee support, and cybersecurity grants to keep dispatch and public safety communication systems interoperable and secure.
Sheriff Michael Simpson, representing the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association, and David Painter, president of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, highlighted communications and dispatch priorities in the House budget that they said are crucial for public safety.
Simpson urged reinstating $10.5 million to offset local MARCS radio user fees, arguing the statewide MARCS system is the primary public safety communications backbone that allows 77 sheriff dispatch centers to interact with other first responders. He also supported the House increase in the NextGen 911 wireless fee from $0.40 to $0.60 per month to help counties upgrade PSAP technology for features such as text‑to‑911, mapping and video ingestion.
Painter said CCAO supports the House fee increase and urged the Senate to consider raising it further (an amendment to $1.25 per month was proposed in testimony) so all counties can come online without imposing local taxes. He also urged more funding for cybersecurity grants for counties to protect water and other infrastructure from cyber threats.
Witnesses noted that federal and state grant support has been useful for body‑worn camera grants and other safety technology but said sustained line items and fee structures are necessary for county dispatch centers and PSAPs to meet mandated NextGen requirements on schedule.
Ending: Witnesses asked the Senate to maintain or increase House funding and fee adjustments for NextGen 911, continue MARCS user‑fee support, and boost cybersecurity grant funding to protect county systems.
