From schools, to governments, it seems everybody is making cuts to make ends meet these days. In fact, even a northern Michigan 911 dispatch center is considering collaborating with other counties to cut costs.
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Funding a 911 dispatch center comes at a high price. In Leelanau County it's around 900-- thousand dollars a year. Right now services are funded through a millage, but community leaders are looking at other options to help foot the bill.
"Whose going to answer that phone for you in the middle of the night when you need help and where does that happen” , asks Leelanau County Administrator David Gill? “Right now every county is doing it, but is there a better way to do it?”
After vetoing a 911 surcharge and instead voting in favor of a millage, the Leelanau County administrator says funding for the county's dispatch center continues to be a struggle, forcing community leaders to look for alternatives.
"We could combine some services… some 911 services… dispatch services," says Gill.
County officials have already talked with the Chairman of the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners who is open to discussing the idea of collaborating. Another possible partner, Benzie County. While talks are still in the very early stages, Gill says one thing that wouldn't change is the way calls are answered and services handled.
“When a 911 call comes into our center it puts a map up on the computer for the dispatcher so they know exactly where you're calling from, what you name is, and if you have special things on record, “says Gill.
While the county administrator says the technology is there, sharing resources with other counties opens the door to a number of challenges.
“Its not only getting the call, but how do you dispatch that call? There's no certified radio system. We're willing to at least talk or open up the door to other counties who might want to talk about sharing. What that would look like… I have no idea, “says Gill.
The county administrator is hoping to bring as many community leaders to the table as possible and at least talk about possibly sharing the cost and resources. The discussion about possible 911 dispatch collaboration with neighboring community leaders is set for later this month. If Leelanau County does decide to go forward with the idea it's not something that would happen over night.
