AUTHORIZATION TO SUPPORT STATE FUNDING FOR PSAP GRANTS

Answering Points (PSAPs), law enforcement, and the telecommunications industry since the early 2000s, the 2017-19 and the 2019-21 state biennial budgets provided funding for creation of a statewide emergency services IP network (ESInet), which is the first step in the transition to a digital Next Generation 911 (NG911) system.  The system utilizes advancements in technology to improve communication with 911 operators and provides greater efficiency in assisting individuals in crisis. The local 911 centers (PSAPs) require NG911 capable equipment to connect to the digital system. Many PSAPs require an upgrade of their equipment to NG911 or will require maintenance and security upgrades to their current NG911 capable equipment and the average cost for the necessary equipment upgrades will likely exceed $250,000 per county in addition to ongoing maintenance costs based on the number of call stations in the PSAP. The state has provided grant funding for counties in the past to upgrade local PSAPs, state funding has not existed in over a decade.  The state currently has a fund—the Police and Fire Protection Fund—which its original intent was to fund county PSAP upgrades.  The revenue from the Police and Fire Protection Fund has been diverted to the state general fund and had never been utilized for its intended purpose. Sauk County does hereby urge the Governor and Wisconsin State Legislature to allocate $15 million annually for grants to PSAPS through the Police and Fire Protection Fund for the upgrade of their equipment and the ongoing maintenance and upgrades.