Re: 911:: 911 surcharge special election/LONG

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/2003 8:43:04 AM Mountain Standard Time,

TARABUL911@... writes:

> Our surcharge has been the minimum 4% for the last 20 years...no increase to

> the Public whatsoever in that time...now we are hoping to increase to the

> max 16 % which would mean instead of .80 cents on a single phone bill it

> will go up to $4.00.

>

holy cow!!! I would NOT want to pay 4.00 a month for something I might never

use.

In Colorado, our MAX we can charge per phone line is .45 cents. This is

ruled by State Law, as is the way the money can be spent which is on 9-1-1

equipment or training. So no furniture, no radios, no windows, no personnel

or computers. Only on phones, phone accessories, cad 9-1-1 interface,

training that deals with situations that might come in on 9-1-1 (hostage,

suicides - dispatcher/call taker skills, stress relieve etc). Logging

recorders are purchased with 9-1-1 money because by state law , 9-1-1 calls

are to be recorded.

Good luck.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/2003 9:42:55 AM Central Standard Time,

TARABUL911@... writes:

> How is your Department funded?

I am a county 911 coordinator with 5 PSAPs. We are funded by a surcharge on

the tariffed portion of the landline cost. It can be raised by the county to

15%. Once a year the surcharge is compared to the expected costs and placed

at that amount. Each year can be different. This is beneficial because it

gives local control. We are able to budget for large projects such as

wireless Phase I and II.

> Do you have an equipment replacement fund?

We have a replacement plan which sets the surcharge amount for the upcoming

year.

> Size of your county/area.

Mostly a rural area, although Kansas City is stampeding in our direction. The

North part of the county is urban and growing. We have about 85,000

population in 710 square miles.

> Suggestions to present to the Public.

Sounds as if you have a good start. Make sure that everyone in your public

safety departments knows the issue. You don't want anyone to ask your

dispatcher, police officer or firefighter a question and have them say " I

don't know. " If it isn't important to them, it won't be important to others.

And you want everyone to give YOUR message not a hearsay answer.

Once all the emergency service departments are on board, have a meeting to

brainstorm. Every idea should be looked at, refined, twisted to work or spark

another idea. No idea is off limits at the meeting.

Reach out to the Eagles, Moose, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce (One terrific

resource! Need money for literature or whatever? They need a solid community

to do business and will help every way they can.), Retirement villages (they

not only use your services a lot, but they VOTE!), PTA, reach the parents

thru classes given to kindergarten and first grade classes (give goodie bags

to the kids with literature about the needed funding.), festivals, safety

fairs, etc., etc. Don't let a week go by without a speech or public

appearance. Don't let a day go by without trying to get a presentation

scheduled. Stay visible.

The presentations should have charts (compare investments of surrounding

agencies to yours) and pictures (your center now and what it could be.

Compare it to surrounding agencies or agencies your size) Keep it colorful.

Make it pop. Make your audience say " Wow! " Use September 11th!

Get to know your news people! They can be your best friend. (This resource

should be cultivated at all times. Unfortunately, police seem to shun them

and then want to use them when needed.) When you contact the news you must

make the copy catch their civic heartstrings and intelligence. Be very

careful with the wording. Is it something that catches your eye? Notice how

the titles used in the news grabs your attention. Test the copy on someone

outside of emergency service. Newspapers are written on a 5th grade level;

keep it simple.

Get with your politicians. They can help you. After all, that's their

business!!

Careful with your language. Don't use acronyms. Don't use " our language. " We

use our language so much that we expect others to understand it. An example

of this is the word " wireless. " We just went through a very similar event

regarding wireless funding. But the public doesn't understand that word. But

say " cell phone " and even 2 year olds know what you are talking about.

Have Fun! A positive presentation makes you a winner.

Doreen Draper

Cass County MO 911 Coordinator