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Commissioners debate 911 levy priorities as radio and staffing costs outstrip levy revenue
Summary
Daniels County commissioners spent extended time weighing whether 911 levy funds should prioritize new radio systems or dispatcher salaries. Levy revenue cited was roughly $345–$365K/year; commissioners said outstanding radio bids approach $500K and noted a $87K note and a separate $64,925 logger/recorder cost.
Daniels County commissioners on July 15 discussed allocation of 911 levy funds amid competing needs for radios, logging/recording equipment, loan repayments and dispatcher wages. County staff reported annual levy revenue in the $345,000–$365,000 range and outlined a situation where high radio replacement costs and outstanding equipment loans could exhaust the levy’s available funds.
Commissioners and staff described choices: moving two dispatcher positions out of the 911 fund into a newly created fund to preserve 911 cash balances, or using levy money to purchase updated radios and complete outstanding equipment purchases. One commissioner summarized the dilemma: with radios priced near a half‑million dollars and an outstanding loan/note of about $87,000, the county must balance capital purchases against recurring wage obligations. The board also referenced a logger/recorder quote of $64,925 for call recording and discussed the need to prioritize whether to purchase equipment or sustain dispatch staffing levels.
Staff committed to reviewing specific fund balances and bringing back exact figures and options; they also agreed to verify whether cell‑phone contributions to 911 fees have stabilized receipts. No final reallocation decision was made at the meeting; commissioners said further review and specific dollar reporting would be needed before formal budget transfers or policy changes.
Commissioners flagged the issue as a long‑running funding and service‑delivery challenge for rural dispatch centers and emphasized the need to avoid staffing shortfalls while ensuring equipment remains serviceable.
