Committee forwards NG911 GIS and PSAP grant resolutions to county board with minor citation change

The Richland County Executive and Finance Standing Committee voted to forward two resolutions authorizing staff to pursue NG911-related grants to the full county board, with a change to strike a defunct “rule 19” citation and reference the county procurement policy instead.

Sheriff Porter and county MIS staff described the grants as recurring funding sources used in recent years to improve 911 mapping and call-taking systems. Porter said the grants “enhance 911 and make 911 better for dispatch and therefore for the public.” The grants cover mapping work through a GIS award and call-taker/dispatch enhancements under a PSAP award.

County staff said the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs will announce 2026 grant parameters after the state budget is set; in prior rounds the maximum award was $750,000 and the local match was 10 percent, but staff cautioned those numbers are not finalized. MIS staff and Sheriff’s Office representatives said they are still defining specific equipment and training requests for this grant cycle and will use past submissions as a starting point.

Committee members asked whether the sheriff or MIS should be the official applicant and signer. Staff said the PSAP (Sheriff’s Office) typically must be designated as the applicant for PSAP funds, even if MIS prepares the application; the committee amended language to clarify the procurement citation and requested staff confirm who must sign the application.

With the citation change agreed, the committee voted to forward both resolutions to the Polk County Board (as referenced on the agenda) next week. The committee recorded no opposition during the voice vote.

Staff said the grant application window could be tight once state budget numbers are released and encouraged preplanning so the county can meet expected deadlines in late summer.