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Dubuque 911 officials warn of state surcharge shortfall as county and city discuss one‑time cover
Summary
Emergency Communications Director Jessica George‑Rethwisch said the center now answers 97.7% of 911 calls in 0–9 seconds but faces a state surcharge decline; the department requested a non‑recurring city/county contribution to cover an estimated shortfall while the legislature considers larger funding changes.
Jessica George‑Rethwisch, director of Dubuque’s Emergency Communications Center, told the City Council the new consolidated dispatch center and technology upgrades have measurably improved response performance while the center faces a looming funding shortfall tied to state handling of 911 surcharge dollars.
George‑Rethwisch described the new Emergency Communication Center (expanding from about 580 square feet to roughly 5,000 square feet), the backup room configuration, and increased use of rapidSOS, What3Words and the Prepared 911 platform. She said the center handled 116,542 calls in FY25 and reported that 97.7% of 911 calls were answered in zero to nine seconds.
The department is moving toward a new CAD system shared with the county (a $3 million project; costs shared between city and county) and is rolling out the paid version of Prepared 911 that will provide call transcripts, translation and on‑screen caller video for dispatchers.
George‑Rethwisch warned the council that state action to hold back part of the 911 surcharge and other policy shifts are reducing expected surcharge revenue. The center requested a non‑recurring city/county contribution to cover an estimated shortfall; Jessica described the shortfall estimate as based on current legislative uncertainty and changes in the state‑administered surcharge distribution.
Councilmembers raised concerns about the equity impacts on smaller jurisdictions, the prospect of regionalizing PSAPs, and the policy limits on using surcharge money (which cannot be applied to staff payroll). Several councilmembers urged engagement with state legislators to pursue a more stable funding mechanism.
Next steps: staff requested council consideration of a one‑time improvement package to bridge the current fiscal shortfall while monitoring legislative developments and working with county partners on long‑term options.
