Madison County fiscal court repeals 2024 9‑1‑1 funding ordinance, directs staff to model water‑meter fee

Madison County Fiscal Court voted Aug. 12 to repeal ordinance 20‑24‑07 and revive the earlier landline ordinance, while directing staff to model a water‑meter surcharge as a potential replacement funding mechanism for the county’s 9‑1‑1 emergency communications center.

The court’s action came after a staff presentation explaining two primary options to replace shrinking landline revenue: a monthly surcharge on water meters or an annual land‑parcel fee. Jill, a county staff member leading the analysis, told the court that federal closure and preparedness funds tied to the Bluegrass Army Depot (CSIP) and ARPA dollars are restricted by source and timeline and “cannot be used and just transitioned over to 9‑1‑1.” She urged the court to recognize that CSIP closeout rules take effect Oct. 1 and that many CSIP expenditures are preapproved reimbursements rather than discretionary cash.

Judge Taylor and several magistrates emphasized urgency. The judge noted that CSEP/CSIP funding “runs out Sept. 30,” leaving only a short window to avoid drawing on general‑fund dollars for dispatch and radio infrastructure, and asked staff to model specific fee amounts quickly. County staff said a water‑meter approach would use existing monthly billing systems across five utility districts and could include different rates for residential and commercial accounts. The court gave direction to pursue the water‑meter model with a residential/nonresidential differentiator and asked staff to return proposed rates and PSC (Public Service Commission) steps in the coming weeks.

The court also read and approved Ordinance 2025‑009 — the formal repeal of the 2024 ordinance and reinstatement of the older landline ordinance — by roll call. Staff said the county will update its website and notify residents of the change and next steps.

Officials stressed that publicly held grants (CSIP, ARPA) have specific allowable uses and that leftover federal dollars do not automatically transfer to general 9‑1‑1 operations. Jill said those funds are often reimbursement‑based or reserved for closeout activity and may not be available for ongoing dispatcher salaries or radio system lifecycle replacement.

The court’s near‑term calendar includes a possible work session to finalize a preferred funding model; staff estimated a 60‑day PSC review period would likely be required if the water‑meter approach is chosen. The court set a follow‑up timeframe to provide modeled rates and an updated plan before CSIP expiration.

Quotes in this article are drawn from the Aug. 12 court transcript, including Jill’s explanation of federal fund restrictions and Judge Taylor’s timeline comments. The ordinance passed on a roll call during the meeting; the court’s direction does not itself set final fees, which will require subsequent modeling, public notice and regulatory steps.