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County to end regional NG911 collaboration; staff to pursue replacement system
Summary
After reported ongoing problems with the 2018 NG911 collaboration and partner withdrawals, the board authorized termination of the intergovernmental agreement effective May 1, 2026, and directed staff to begin replacement planning and budget preparation for a new system in 2026.
Corey, the new director of central dispatch, told the board that a regional intergovernmental NG911 collaboration created in 2018 has suffered persistent technical and service problems and that several partner counties have already given notice of withdrawal. "So what I'm asking this commission, is that we give that notice and then begin the work of finding a replacement system," he said, describing the 12‑month notice requirement the county must provide under the agreement.
Corey explained that smaller partner centers were originally intended to share two hub locations (Grand Traverse and Petoskey) to avoid redundant equipment, but that the collaboration has not functioned reliably. He said some partners (Kalkaska, Wexford, Antrim) had given informal and formal notices and that only one central partner would remain, and that FCC grant funding that supported the original upgrade is no longer available.
Commissioner Andrews moved to terminate the intergovernmental agreement for the NG911 call handling system project (originally approved 03/09/2018), effective 05/01/2026, authorize staff to communicate the termination to partners and begin planning for a replacement system; the motion passed on a voice vote.
Officials said they are gathering budgetary estimates and plan an RFP for a 2026 purchase; maintenance costs with the current vendor are roughly $16,000 per year, and preliminary vendor estimates for replacement maintenance are in a similar range, though capital purchase and installation costs are still being developed.
Why it matters: NG911 call‑handling systems are central to 911 call taking and interoperability. Terminating the agreement starts a 12‑month period for partners and the county to transition operations and requires the county to identify technology, procure vendors, and fund capital installation.
Next steps: staff will coordinate notices to collaborative partners and develop budget estimates and an RFP to pursue a replacement system in 2026.
