KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — After getting shot down at the polls last fall for a phone surcharge to fund consolidated emergency dispatch, The authority has been looking at other options. They have come up with three.
None of them call for a voter-approved tax hike or surcharge. The solutions feature various combinations of contributions that are determined by population, by call volume and by what the local governments currently budget for 911.
Director Jeff Troyer said whatever they choose will be used to fund the system for the next five years. Then they will seek a funding scheme that is more equitable and is supported by all the governmental units with first responders on staff.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has chosen an option that will actually cost them more money than they are currently paying and cost the other participating municipalities less.
The authority’s finance committee will continue their discussion with the five member governments next Tuesday.
