this item, this is just part of the solution.
Member Eckhoff asked had it not been decided that the ETS Board was not going to
replace radios? Chair Schwarze confirmed this was discussed three years ago and it was
said there was no plan at that moment for ETSB to replace the radios in 10-12 years.
Member Eckhoff asked if that had changed. Chair Schwarze replied that it had not.
Member Eckhoff asked Vice Chair Franz if he was suggesting that should change. Vice
Chair Franz replied, no, the radios cost $40M and there was a plan to pay for those as an
ETSB. He said, now the ETSB is saying we are not replacing the radios. Shouldn’t that
money be given to the PSAPs to replace the radios now? Do we have the money? Vice
Chair Franz said he did not know, but it needs to be discussed how the ETSB can help
fund the radios through the PSAPs or the members. Member Eckhoff said he thought one
of Vice Chair Franz’s comments was that this is a recurring million dollars. Chair
Schwarze said the IGA was finalized two years ago and that this would be the third
annual distribution of the $1M. Executive Director Zerwin stated this is not recurring,
that there is language in the IGA that if certain criteria are met, then it is recurring. She
continued saying that the $1M is played out in the ten-year budget projection and the
$1M is slotted each fiscal year. Executive Director Zerwin said one of the criteria is the
submission of what the PSAPs have used/are using the funds for regarding training, and
that that criterion has been met. The second is that if the ETSB is sustainable and has
met their other goals, then the funds can be dispersed, but that it is only automatic in the
sense that it has been projected out. Member Eckhoff asked if at the next meeting there
could be more discussion regarding the preconditions and what the Board has to consider
before dispersing the funds 65/35%. Member Eckhoff continued saying, it seemed that
the Board made the policy statement three years ago that ETSB would not buy the radios
again, but that if the funding is available, and certain criteria are met, that ETSB is going
to give it to the PSAPs. The PSAPs should be saying it is incumbent on us to buy the
radios in nine years. Member Eckhoff said for the security of the PSAPs, he wanted to
ensure they feel they understand the system and when they are going to get the money,
and that there would have to be some extraordinary event for them not to get the money
so that they can plan on it, and then it seems like we are all set.
Chair Schwarze said he wanted to point out that the Board voted last month to start
including the NG911 withholding. So, if the annual revenue projection is not met, funds
from that one-time payment from the State would be utilized to make up the deficit, and
the remainder would also go to the PSAPs at that same 65/35% split which in 2026, a
year from now, will be a split of $830,783.
Member Eckhoff said he would like to discuss the procedure and the intent so the PSAPs
know they can rely on what they think the Board is going to do and that it would only be
because of an extraordinary situation that it would not.
Member Wolber said that as a new Member not having been on the Board when the IGA
was executed, asked if the PSAPs are supposed to put the money away for the radios or
can spend it however they want pending they meet the criteria. Executive Director
Zerwin clarified, as long as it meets the surcharge criteria, they can. She said
DU-COMM has used it towards salaries and Member Maranowicz has said that ACDC
puts it aside for radios. She said there is also the $100,000 split 65/35% for training.
Member Eckhoff said it would be incumbent upon the PSAPs to set their rate, the amount
