Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 911 Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Calhoun County board votes 5–2 to place 911 line surcharge on November ballot
Summary
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 on July 16 to place a proposed telephone-line surcharge (up to $3 per line) on the November 2020 ballot to fund 911 dispatch services for 10 years; supporters called it a more equitable funding method and opponents said constituents view it as a tax increase.
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 on July 16 to place a countywide telephone-line surcharge on the November 2020 ballot to fund emergency 911 dispatch services for a 10-year period starting July 2021 if approved by voters.
CCCDA Director Richard Feole told the board most 911 centers in Michigan use a line surcharge and said the proposal is intended to distribute costs more equitably than the current cost-per-service method. Corporation Counsel Jim Dyer summarized the agency’s funding history and said that, if voters approve the measure, the board would later set the annual per-line amount based on CCCDA submissions. Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott said the proposal would shift existing costs rather than add a new countywide tax and noted the board was only voting to put the measure before voters.
Opponents on the board said residents in some districts view the surcharge as a tax increase. Commissioner Tommy Miller said his district had expressed strong opposition; Commissioner Gary Tompkins also opposed placing the fee, describing constituent concerns about added cost. Commissioner Steve Frisbie, a long-time member of the dispatch authority board, said a per-device fee would help smaller jurisdictions budget and noted the CCCDA recommended a 10-year cycle to align renewals with high-turnout state elections.
The motion (Res.112-2020) to place the telephone-line surcharge—described in the resolution as a fee of up to three dollars ($3.00) per line, effective July 2, 2021 through June 30, 2031—carried on a 5–2 roll call. Voting yes were Commissioners Rochelle Hatcher, Jake Smith, Steve Frisbie, Tommy Miller and Kathy‑Sue Vette; voting no were Commissioners Derek King and Gary Tompkins.
The board’s vote only authorizes placement of the measure on the ballot; the surcharge would take effect only if a majority of county voters approve it in November. The CCCDA will return to the board with the proposed annual amount and implementation details if voters approve the measure.
