Valley County commissioners approve $175,780 transfer from 911 trust to general fund

County staff presented a resolution authorizing the transfer of $175,780.11 from the 911 trust fund into the county general fund to assist with funding dispatch operations, and the Valley County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the measure. "What we're requesting to be transferred, is a $175,780 from the trust fund, the 9 1 1 trust fund, into the general fund account," county staff said during the meeting.

The staff presentation cited Idaho Code 31-4803, which authorizes emergency communication fees collected from telecommunication providers to finance consolidated emergency communication systems. Staff explained the 911 trust accumulates fee payments and allows only specified reimbursements for operating the county's 911 communication center. The presenter added that reimbursements from McCall Police Department and local fire districts also contribute to dispatch funding and that the sheriff's office may consult with partner agencies about possible fee increases next fiscal year to better cover costs.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the transfer represented an "overreach" into general-fund revenue; staff replied the transfer is an allowable partial reimbursement and does not cover the full cost of dispatch operations. A commissioner made a motion to adopt Resolution 25-26-05 and the board voted in favor.

The vote completed the formal action; staff noted the transferred funds will be used to assist with next fiscal year's dispatch-center costs. The board did not provide a separate schedule for additional transfers during the meeting.