Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Organizations that represent 911 systems in Iowa are urging Governor Reynolds to reject a proposed fee for distributing calls.
The fee is included in a bill that passed the legislature just before it adjourned for the year. Representative Eric Gjerde, a Cedar Rapids policeman, says the proposed fee would be paid to the state by the boards that oversee the 110 public safety answering points in Iowa that answer 911 calls.
Gjerde says 911 systems do have money in their operating accounts to cover the new fee, but that money is for large projects that cost millions of dollars.
Gjerde was one of three House members who voted against the bill, which included a variety of other proposals. The Iowa Chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association have issued a joint statement calling on the governor to use her item veto authority and cancel the proposed fee. The bill gives the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management authority to request 911 systems to pay a reimbursement fee — but does not specify the amount. The bill requires payment of the fee within 30 days.
KIWA Staff Photo
