9-1-1 modernization and funding options proposed for interim review

Nate Smolinski, the statewide 9-1-1 coordinator and statewide interoperable coordinator, and Matt Johnson, Torrington police chief who manages Goshen County’s public-safety answering point (PSAP), urged the committee to carry next‑generation 9‑1‑1 (NG9‑1‑1) funding and migration into the interim work plan.

Smolinski asked the committee to review systems and operations with an emphasis on efficiency opportunities such as regionalization or consolidation, to examine transitional steps for NG9‑1‑1 establishment, and to explore multiple funding mechanisms rather than committing to a single approach. He asked to work with partners including WOS, WASCOP, WCCA, WAM and industry to return options to the committee for review.

Chief Matt Johnson described the operational and technical expenses facing local PSAPs and said smaller counties need structural and funding options for sustained operations. Smolinski said the current statutory fee ceiling and county adoption rates vary; he noted the existing fee structure was established in 2019 and that counties are at varying modernization levels.

Ending: Committee members encouraged continued updates; members from affected districts asked for continued oversight of outages and provider responsiveness to public-safety concerns.