The Consolidated Dispatch Authority of Calhoun County, which manages dispatch services for Police, Fire, and EMS agencies in the county, has a millage request on the ballot on August 2, 2022. The request for .98 mils over a 10-year levy would result in a significant investment in countywide 911 services. This funding proposal would also provide dedicated funding for the operation of the consolidated 911 center in Calhoun County.
The major challenges identified that led to the millage request include outdated technology and lack of redundant systems, which are impeding operations of emergency response in Calhoun County. Currently, there are multiple radio systems being used for emergency communications. Fire departments are on a different system than some law enforcement agencies, which means that they are not able to communicate easily to one another. Some law enforcement agencies can only use the radio in the vehicle, which limits their connectivity outside of the patrol car. The backbone of the fire department radio system is outdated and approaching end of life, so Consolidated Dispatch has collected spare parts from neighboring counties who no longer use this system. Without redundant and reliable systems, there are vulnerabilities in the critical systems that allow emergency responders to react to situations in Calhoun County.
If approved by voters on Aug. 2, 2022, the following improvements will be made:
- Additional radio towers will be built, which will improve coverage for public safety, which will allow for Calhoun to join the statewide Michigan Public Safety Communications System
- All agencies would move to a single radio system so that all first responders can communicate, across agencies and even county lines
- New radios would be purchased for the county agencies, which is then a cost the agencies do not have to purchase or maintain
- The computer-aided dispatch system would be upgraded to meet industry standards, which manages the daily operations of dispatch
Calhoun County Commissioners approved this millage in April to be added to the ballot for voters in August. The .98 mills assessed on the taxable value of a home. Currently the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch is funded through a $.60 surcharge on phones, and payments from municipalities in the county based on the numbers of calls for service within each township, village, or city. In 2021, dispatch answered 100,504 calls to 911, 98,705 calls on non-emergency lines, and 185 texts. There are 19 fire departments, six police departments and one EMS agency that utilize the Calhoun County Consolidated Dispatch Authority.
