–Local officials now have a better idea what the bill signed by Governor Reynolds will cost the Kossuth County 911 system. Kossuth County Information Technology Director Derek Olson addressed the Board of Supervisors during their meeting on Tuesday. He says it costs a little more than $770,000 to cover the system’s expenses each year.
Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds signed a bill that was passed late in the legislative session which will allow the state to charge local 911 boards for costs. Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders across the state urged the Governor to veto the bill because it could threaten local 911 funding. Olson says they are expecting to pay around $45,000 to the state.
Olson believes these new fees are part of an effort at the state level to consolidate local 911 services.
Olson says merging centers would make sense in certain instances.
The new law allows the state to request fees from local 911 systems, with payment required within 30 days. The language was included in Senate File 659, a budget bill that Reynolds signed on June 11th.
