COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County 911 Communications Board decided in September to seek $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act money from County Commissioners after it was found there was a shortfall of funds from a voter approved phone surcharge for upgrades to the 911 system.
It was learned this summer that the surcharge is not bringing in enough money to pay off 2021 bonds. The 911 Board tried to answer a question from Commissioners on the ARPA request on Wednesday as County Administrator Bud Norman said Commissioners wanted a better definition on the request.
Board Chair Keith Baker said they are taking a long range view.
Branch County 911 Director Bob Swick recently reported the shortfall over the last couple of years was just short of $2 million as the county had collected just over $1.5 million from the surcharges.
The monthly surcharge of up to $2.52 per phone device was scheduled to raise about $2-point-4 million annually and after starting in July 2021, it would go no longer than six years.
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