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Council reopens NextGen grant awards; members flag maintenance, prioritization and documentation gaps
Summary
The council reviewed about 15 grant applications against roughly $586,000 of available NextGen grant funds, raising recurring concerns about using one‑time funds for ongoing maintenance, missing cost justification/letters of support, statutory priority for telcos vs PSAPs, and the option of partial funding.
The joint 9‑1‑1 advisory council on Jan. 29 reopened competitive grant awards for projects to support NextGen 9‑1‑1 and related PSAP upgrades, with roughly $586,000 available for distribution. Laura said the program invited council recommendations and that awards will be issued within 90 days after the council submits its recommendations.
Laura explained the funding history: PSAPs forewent grant shares in 2021 to build the NextGen account and House Bill 597 (2023) enabled funds to be transferred into that account. "There was $586,000 that many of you noticed..." she said.
Council members reviewed about 15 applications in sequence and flagged recurring issues: missing cost justification or letters of support; applications that appear to ask one‑time funds for ongoing licensing and sustainment; and large requests that would consume a sizable portion of available money. Scott Paul and others discussed partial awards as an option for very large requests.
Members repeatedly emphasized statutory prioritization rules. Bridger and others noted the code gives priority to private telecommunications providers and PSAPs working with telcos, then to PSAPs standalone; reviewers said some applications lack clear documentation of telecommunications partnerships, which affects priority scoring.
Several reviewers urged prioritizing CPE/phone upgrades so PSAPs can land on the NextGen core services. Tim Martindale argued that phone systems (CPE) should receive priority because no matter how effective the statewide core is, centers that can't connect to it will be harmed.
Examples discussed: Anaconda Deer Lodge sought $25,000 for GIS work but reviewers noted missing cost justification; Sagebrush cellular submitted a roughly $493,000 request that reviewers said would consume a large share of the fund and might be a candidate for partial funding; Helena/Lewis & Clark County proposed a $204,000 AI non‑emergency call pilot, which some members called aspirational while others supported pilot funding.
The council asked reviewers to return score sheets to Laura by Monday; Laura said the program will compile recommendations and the DOJ will review after the council submits them. No binding awards were made at the meeting.
Public comment: Shelby DeMars of the Montana Police Protective Association thanked the council and asked to participate in a legislative working group; the chair said the item will be placed on the next agenda for volunteers and follow up.
