COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County voters will be asked on Tuesday to approve a funding request from the county’s enhanced 911 service for the purchase of a new 800/700 MHz Radio System for Branch County.
It would replace an old system that dates back to the early 1990’s. The proposed surcharge is being backed by police and fire departments around Branch County as well as the Branch County Sheriff’s Department. They say the new equipment would provide better coverage and increase safety for police and firefighters.
Branch County 911 is looking to increase their monthly surcharge by a maximum of $2.52 per phone device which would make the total monthly cost at $2.94 per device. It would raise about $2-point-4 million annually and would not go longer than six years starting in July of 2021.
The new equipment would include the base radio, consoles, mobile radios, portable radios and pagers for all Branch County Law Enforcement Agencies and all Branch County Fire Departments, as well as Branch County Central Dispatch.
The current surcharge is authorized by the Branch County Board of Commissioners Resolution at the rate of $.42 per month per device, and generates approximately $345,000. annually for 911 and central dispatch facilities, equipment, operations and maintenance.
The increase being sought would increase the local surcharge funds annually by $2,070,000.
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