The reimbursement of local 911 dispatching centers for calls answered between July and December was approved by the Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board at its regular Wednesday meeting.
A total of $706,951 was approved. Once approved by the county board’s Finance Committee and the full county board, it will be the second payment since the ETSB instituted the new policy last year.
Since the 911 system came online, local police departments with 911 dispatching centers, called PSAPs, have paid the personnel cost of the system, while Madison County 911 paid for equipment and training. The county currently has 15 PSAPs, with the recent consolidation of East Alton into Wood River. The number is expected to drop to eight as part of the state-mandated consolidation, which continues to be delayed by legal maneuvering.