Comments on: [updated] Driehaus, Flowers bill will support funding of wireless 911; briefings on 12/4

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:36:33 +0000

Kim – I think that’s a perfectly acceptable question. I will post it as an entry though probably not today. Thanks for whatever else you want to pass along – again, I think this is so critical, to get this infrastructure in place now.

By: Kim Brandt

Kim Brandt — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:46:14 +0000

If you don’t mind I would like to ask a question to you and your readers. When you went to purchase your cell phone, if you were ask to purchase a feature so that 9-1-1 could find you in an emergency what you be willing to pay for that? I’m not sure what people pay for OnStar services but that is somewhat similar to the wireless 9-1-1 service. Consider what you pay for text messaging and navigation services etc. They all cost a lot more than 32cents per month. I will look for the news links, thanks a lot!!

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:25:49 +0000

Thanks so much for the clarification, Kim, and the update. I see a couple of news stories and will link to them. If there’s other info you think would be helpful to Ohioans, about this topic, feel free to post them or e-mail me.

By: Kim Brandt

Kim Brandt — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:17:19 +0000

The monthly fee now is .32 cents and that is what we are asking to be continued. $3.84 is the cost per year to continue 32cents per month.
I was thrilled to see a good show of support from emergency services, county and city officails yesterday at the press conference. I heard a few state reps and senators passed through while it was going on.

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:19:48 +0000

Hi Kim – Rep. Flowers says this in the above source: “The ball is in our court at the statehouse to do what is best for Ohio’s citizens,” said Rep. Flowers. “At $3.84 per citizen, roughly the price of a Happy Meal at McDonald’s, Ohioans can get the wireless 9-1-1 service they deserve.”

Maybe that’s not the fee amount though, just the cost? I’m not sure – what do you think?

By: Kim Brandt

Kim Brandt — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:50:30 +0000

I have not heard any thing about a hike to $3.00. I can’t imagine that would be neccessary at all for the expense that is now allowable from the wireless money. The 32 cent amount was an educated guess based on information available when the legislation was written a few years ago. This year the state 9-1-1 Coordinator took a survey of counties to see how much has been spent on implementation and what is still needed. He used that information to determiine that the 32 cent amount is enough, we just need to change the formula somewhat so that the smaller counties can get a larger amount of money to help offset the expense. The larger counties were willing to take a small cut to make this happen. In the original formula each county was given a minimum of $25,000 with the new legislation we would like to make the minimum 90,000 which is more realistic in meeting wireless expense.

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:26:52 +0000

Kim – thanks for reading and commenting. What do you think about the hike to over $3? Is that necessary? It might be – I simply don’t know. What’s your opinion on how the amount is determined, statewide?

By: Kim Brandt

Kim Brandt — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:11:59 +0000

I am a 9-1-1 Coordinator. The 32 cent fee is realistic overall. It will hurt our county only because we currently have a landline fee of 50 cents. When those people switch our county will be losing funding. Overall the amount of money generated with the 32 cents is enough to implement and to mainitain Phase 2 service (locating wireless callers)The funding is needed for mapping, equipment to find the callers and personnel to handle larger call volume and fees that 9-1-1 centers have to pay to phone companies. What varies county to county is what is already in place and what needs to be put in place as far as mapping, equipment and personnel. Please show your support for this continued funding!! It is important for all of that travel and use our cell phones everyday at home or work.

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:55:45 +0000

Thanks, Maggie. Do you have an opinion you could share as to how realistic the amount of the fee is? I know other states’ fees vary from as low as ours is right now, 33 cents, up to $3.00. I would think that the amount might be one point of discussion: how much is needed, what is it needed for, how does it vary from county to county (in terms of needs and the cost to meet the needs) etc.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:35:43 +0000

Good info, Jill…thanks for the update! I, too, am glad to see bipartisan support for something so vital. A lot of counties have relied upon this to provide a good 9-1-1 service.

Hope the support will continue until the bill is voted upon and passed!