BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – Police Chiefs from around Branch County have joined Sheriff John Pollock in asking voters to approve a cell phone
surcharge increase proposal on the November 3 ballot that will be used to replace the current 911 radio system.
In a letter signed by Chiefs Stephen Johnson of Bronson, Joe Scheid of Coldwater, Jeremy Burch of Quincy and Chris Mathis of Union City, residents are asked to support the increase because the current system was originally put into operation in February of 1992, twenty-eight (28) years ago.
The Chiefs ask in a letter “how many of you even had a cell phone 28 years ago? If you did would you bet your life on its operation today? That is what we are facing in Branch County right now, 28-year-old technology.”
All of the Chiefs serve as members of the 911 Board they have been studying this need for several years. The letter goes on to state, “it is our feeling that increasing the surcharge is the best and fairest way we can afford to accomplish this needed update.”
If adopted, every device in Branch County that can be used to contact 911 or central dispatch services will be charged an additional $2.52 a month for six years which would increase the local surcharge funds annually by over $2 million. The total local surcharge would be levied at $2.94 per month per device and would generate over $2.4 million annually. The increased funds would be used to buy an 800/700 MHz Radio System for Branch County.
The Chiefs stated the surcharge increase spreads the cost out to all the users and not just the property owners. They also said by the continued pursuit of grants, they will lower the cost and shorten the length of time money from the surcharge will be collected.
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