9-1-1 director seeks equipment upgrades but notes strict tax restrictions on purchases
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Summary
The 9-1-1 office requested a hydraulic desk replacement and reported small contractual increases and training costs, but said 9-1-1 tax revenues are restricted for equipment tied to first responders.
The county's 9-1-1 director outlined modest increases to contractual, commodity, and training lines and requested capital outlay for a new hydraulic desk, saying maintenance and replacement needs drove the request.
Speaker 9, identified as the 9-1-1 director, said two of the dispatch desks are about 16 years old and need replacement; she put a hydraulic desk on the capital-outlay list and noted several desks no longer adjust. She said contractual increases are small and that training needs have grown.
When asked whether 9-1-1 tax funds could pay for phones or other items, the director said the 9-1-1 tax rules are strict: expenditures must be for first-responder equipment or connected services. She said one vendor product would not qualify and that purchases must meet the tax fund’s allowable uses.
The commission heard the request and did not vote; the director said she hopes commissioners consider requested pay increases for 9-1-1 staff to address retention and that she will proceed within the fund-use rules if capital outlay is approved.