Muskegon County voters turned down the idea last November by over 3000 votes, however, Emergency dispatch officials are asking the public to reconsider this May.
Essentially, the ballot proposal would increase a county resident’s monthly 911 surcharge by over 500 percent, from 42 cents to nearly $3 a month.
While that is a big jump, dispatch officials say the money is desperately needed to upgrade the call center from analog to digital. Officials say not doing so would become a safety issue in the years ahead.
But not everyone is on board. Muskegon County Commissioners, were split 5-4 in favor of putting the measure on the ballot last month. Commissioner Zach Lahring, who voted against the idea, says it’s an insult to the voters who just rejected the idea last November.
“Absolutely,” Lahring said. “Just to put in on the ballot costs almost $150,000, so it’s a tremendous waste of taxpayer dollars.”
The vote is set for this May 7th, meanwhile an informational meeting is being held for the public this Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the Norton Shores Public Library.
