Emergency communications asks board to back $1-per-line 9-1-1 surcharge increase for NextGen upgrades

Officials from the county’s emergency communications office reported Jan.–Feb. hiring and training updates and asked the committee for political support to raise the state 9-1-1 surcharge.

A Kingcom representative said the last surcharge increase took place in 2017–2018 (from $0.87 to $1.50) and that counties are asking the state to raise the per-line surcharge to $2.50. The office said the additional revenue would support NextGen 9-1-1 technology upgrades, training, and staffing costs. The representative identified House Bill 4066 and Senate Bill 2670 as the vehicles for that request and said Kingcom will travel to Springfield to seek cosponsors.

Board member Gums asked staff to prepare two resolutions supporting those bills for the county’s legislative packet; Kingcom agreed to provide informational materials after the meeting. The committee did not take a formal vote of endorsement at the meeting; staff said material will be circulated to the committee and legislative-support resolutions could follow.