LISBON — Counties will possibly see a nearly 11% increase to their share of the now 60-cent 911 fee on wireless devices, but at this point, how that money will be distributed in the future remains undetermined.

That was the news delivered last week by Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director and 911 Coordinator Brian Rutledge during the quarterly meeting of the county’s 911 Program Review Committee and Emergency Services Committee.

The state legislature recently approved bumping the wireless device fee from 40 cents to 60 cents per line. The percentages for how the 60 cents will be divided were also adjusted, increasing from 72% to 81.33% for local governments. The state next generation 911 program will receive a smaller cut, going from 25% down to 16.6%, the state 911 office will receive 1.33% instead of 2% and less will go to the Ohio Department of Taxation, decreasing from 1% to 0.67%.

Previously the state had talked about coming up with a distribution formula based on call volume, which would result in less money for smaller counties who receive less calls, but Rutledge said nothing has been decided.

“I’m not sure what kind of formula they’re going to come up with for that distribution,” he said, adding that there haven’t been any solid numbers yet to see the effect of the increases to the fee.

In reviewing the financials for 911, the income for the wireline fee has continuously dropped as residents have moved to cell phones from landlines. Last year’s income was $76,965 with the income so far this year at $36,373. The total balance in the account was $727,506.

On the wireless side, the income from last year was $284,918, with the amount so far this year at $176,671. The total balance in the account was listed as $1,405,697. Expenses so far this year were $18,335 from the wireline fund and $102,721 from the wireless fund.

Rutledge also reported that the support and compliance report has been completed and sent to the state, showing the statistics for the five Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), including new hires, certificates for training and other information. He talked briefly about upcoming classes for dispatcher training in early to mid-September and said he’s looking at additional resources for dispatcher training.

Discussion once again turned to consolidation into one centralized answering center when Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey asked what happens if one of the five PSAPs decides they no longer want to be a PSAP?

Rutledge said they would have to discuss logistics on which PSAPs would pick up the calls from the one that leaves. The 911 system currently works with five PSAPS, including the sheriff’s office, Salem, Columbiana, East Liverpool and East Palestine.

Commissioner Roy Paparodis, who chairs the committee, said at this point they don’t even know who’s in and who’s out for a centralized system. He said he’s going to talk with his fellow commissioners about the situation and said “we need input from other people other than Salem.”

Highlandtown Fire Chief Jeremiah Cole said there would be a continuity of service with all the people answering the calls in one place. As a member of the Columbiana County Fire Chiefs Association, he said they all support it.

Dickey said at some point, one of the PSAPs isn’t going to be able to keep doing it, saying 83% for salaries isn’t sustainable for a city.

East Liverpool Mayor Bobby Smith attended the meeting and said the first thing they want to do is take money away from police and fire and “that’s a disaster,” adding maybe other departments should be looked at.

In talking about the funding, St. Clair Township Trustee Jim Sabatini noted the increase from 40 cents per line to 60 cents per line for wireless, but also said what he’s hearing is that it should be $1 to $1.25 per line.

Smith said what concerns him about a centralized system is the loss of that personal touch, saying dispatchers here don’t know what’s going on in East Liverpool.

After much discussion, Rutledge noted that Paparodis will talk with his fellow commissioners, he asked for input from the mayors association and from the township trustees association. He also said he’ll look at updating the previous consolidation plan and include some current numbers.

The next 911 committee meeting is tentatively set for 1 p.m. Nov. 6.

mgreier@mojonews.com