(Des Moines) The state’s 9-1-1 boards can now be charged a fee for technology upgrades. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law on Thursday. The law allows the Iowa 9-1-1 program to request reimbursement for reasonable charges from each joint 9-1-1 board. Cass County 9-1-1 Service Coordinator Mike Kennon says this is part of a series of events.
Kennon says that, first and foremost, the state has figured out a way to lower the percentage that locals receive from the surcharge that local 9-1-1 boards and dispatch centers receive to operate.
Kennon says local 9-1-1 centers must maintain a fund balance, as needed upgrades or repairs can be costly. Kennon says that most recently, they purchased pagers for the fire departments in the county – you’re spending real money, as in thousands of dollars.
