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ECC director warns governor’s veto of 9-1-1 surcharge strains county dispatch centers
Summary
Mike, the county’s ECC director, told the board that a gubernatorial veto of a legislative surcharge increase leaves PSAPs under financial pressure, noting rising call volumes, technology needs and staffing shortages; TECB public comment is set for Aug. 11.
Mike, the Sumner County ECC director, told the board that the governor vetoed a statewide surcharge-rate increase that would have helped 9-1-1 centers, and warned the decision is creating operational and financial pressure on local dispatch services. “He thinks of this as a tax and it’s not a good time to raise taxes on the citizens,” Mike said, describing the governor’s public statement on the veto.
The observation came during a lengthy ECC director’s report that also listed service and technology updates. Mike said the district issued 1,252 addresses in the first six months of the year and has installed new radio PCs at the ECC and the Doctor site; server-room hardware is scheduled for installation next month. “Once that hardware is installed at the ECC, we’ll take the existing equipment down at the Doctor site and just sort of keep that cycle going,” he said.
Why it matters: the veto removes an anticipated revenue increase at a time when many emergency communications districts report staffing and equipment shortfalls, Mike said. He cited statewide TECB survey results showing widespread operational pressure, including recruitment and retention problems; he said 73% of districts reported wage concerns and 71% said they needed more telecommunicators. The TECB has scheduled a public comment period on the surcharge issue for Aug. 11 as a first step toward reconsideration.
The director described procurement difficulties for a center-wide uninterruptible power supply (UPS), saying one vendor’s quote returned at about $110,000—higher than prior estimates—and the district is awaiting another statewide-contract bid before deciding whether to repair existing batteries or buy new equipment. “This was more difficult than what we anticipated trying to get a center-wide UPS put in,” Mike said.
On staffing, Mike reported the ECC currently has 13 vacancies and is competing with nearby agencies offering higher starting pay; he cited Mount Juliet’s posting as an example of higher market rates for experienced telecommunicators. “If you come over with 3 years of experience, they can start you at around $64,000,” he said, contrasting that with the district’s starting pay “just under $50,000.” He said the next hire date is Aug. 10.
The report also included operational metrics: Mike said the district recorded about 170,000 calls for service in the reporting period and that 9-1-1 call volume is up while some nonemergency volumes are down.
Looking ahead: Mike said the TASER study has requested Sumner-specific information and that many districts will likely provide similar feedback. The TECB’s public comment period on surcharge policy is scheduled for Aug. 11; Mike said that is the first step toward returning the issue to the legislature.
