Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 911 Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
LaSalle County board adopts resolution opposing any reallocation of enhanced‑911 search‑charge funds away from per‑capita basis
Summary
After municipal representatives requested postponement, the board amended and approved a resolution urging the Joint Emergency Telephone Services Board (JetsB) not to reallocate enhanced‑911 search‑charge funds away from a per‑capita basis, citing potential reductions to county dispatch funding and higher local tax risk.
LaSalle County Board members on June 8 adopted an amended resolution opposing any reallocation of enhanced‑911 search‑charge funds by the LaSalle County Joint Emergency Telephone Services Board (JetsB) away from a per‑capita allocation.
Brent Bader, director of community development and deputy clerk for the City of LaSalle, read a statement on behalf of representatives from Peru, LaSalle and Oglesby, asking the county to postpone action because the municipalities received the proposed resolution only hours before the meeting and wanted more time to discuss possible impacts. Bader said a per‑capita distribution may not reflect actual call volume and expressed concern that a reallocation could effectively subsidize services for one community at the expense of others.
County staff and several board members said the resolution is preemptive and intended to protect the county’s historical reliance on per‑capita distribution under the intergovernmental agreement ratified in 2016. County dispatch currently receives roughly 42.93% of search‑charge funds under the per‑capita formula; other dispatch centers receive smaller shares. Diane Styles, the county 911 director, told the board LaSalle County dispatch handles more than 150,000 calls when administrative and 911 calls are combined.
Some members argued the resolution was late in arriving to the packet and asked whether the JetsB had formally scheduled a vote; staff said the JetsB may discuss the item at its June 16 meeting. A motion to table the resolution was defeated (4 yes, 22 no). The board then adopted an amendment clarifying opposition to "any manner other than per capita" and passed the amended resolution.
Supporters said the measure preserves the intent of the voters who approved the search charge and protects county dispatch funding; opponents argued the board and affected municipalities should have more time and information before action.
