Local Mayors and Representatives Form Special Committee for E-911 Funding
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri brought together mayors and representatives from the various municipalities in Jefferson County to discuss needs that are pressing with Jefferson County’s E-911, which serves all areas of Jefferson County. While other First Responder Departments across the County have increased their numbers, Director of E-911 Crowther stated that E-911 has remained largely stagnant as far as personnel is concerned, adding only one employee over a ten year span. Mayor Palmieri, who Chairs the E-911 Board, and Crowther have been asking for additional assistance at E-911 for several budget cycles.
During the Friday morning, October 14,th meeting Crowther provided information that indicated a significant increase in call volume since 2013. Also distributed was a potential funding mechanism that put the burden of the increased financial need on the local municipalities. Mayor Palmieri stated that it is his belief that the County should be providing the necessary increase in funding for E-911 but, if the County is unwilling to meet the financial needs, a split based on population of the various cities may become necessary. The current increase in funding need for E-911 was listed at $155,058 which would balance the budget and add two employees to the E-911 roster. Should the County determine that they will not increase funding to meet those needs, Jefferson City which has the largest population base would also have the largest tab coming in annually at $83,980, followed by Dandridge at $29,196, White Pine at $22,852, New Market at $13,886 and Baneberry at $5,144. Several municipal mayors, including Mayor Potts of Jefferson City and Mayor Gantte of Dandridge, expressed concern that their city residents are already paying for E-911 service via their County taxes. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri concurred that it would be an extra burden on those residents that live in the cities, stating that the County should be shouldering the increase.
Mayor Potts inquired as to the state of the infrastructure at E-911, which according to Director Crowther, will be needing upgrades. Crowther said that as users such as police and fire departments up grade and change software, add employees and make changes in their departments, it puts increased pressure and needs on the E-911 system. Mayor Potts requested that Crowther bring back a document that shows the number of personnel at E-911 over the last several years and outlines a capital project needs list, stating “ I don’t want to band aid this”. Mayor Gantte proposed a joint meeting of the Jefferson County Budget Committee and a special committee to investigate funding. He also stated that, in his opinion, it is time to look at other emergency service funding formulas, such as the fire departments “The majority of the calls that the Dandridge Fire Department goes on are outside the city limits, yet we cannot get any additional financial assistance from the County, even though we carry a great deal of the burden.”
Mayor Palmieri, who established the group in attendance as a special committee to address procuring additional funding for E-911, said “It is difficult to get things done in the County with regard to budget. We have built a wall and everyone is competing for funding, position and power. It is counter productive for our community. The quality of Emergence Services impact every resident and the community as a whole and our Emergency Services begin with E-911.”
Currently, E-911 services are funded with a combination of State funding and County contribution, with the State picking up more than $700,000 of a $1.2 million dollar budget. The special committee will meet early in the New Year to review additional information and pursue a meeting with the Budget Committee shortly thereafter.
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
