Clay County Votes on 911 Funding

Clay County residents went to the polls on Tuesday, November 7, to decide the fate of Proposition A. The issue would implement a $1 monthly fee on any wireless device capable of calling 911 to fund the regional 911 system.

Since 1993, the funding mechanism for 911 has been a tax on landline phones. As the number of landlines in Clay County dwindles, the County was having to pull funds from other places to cover the costs.

According to the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners, the unofficial results show that 60.9% residents said yes to Proposition A and 39.1% said no. The number of total votes was 14,504.

Clay County Sheriff Will Akin

“I really want to thank the residents of Clay County who took the time to vote on this important issue,” said Sheriff Will Akin in a statement to KPGZ. “The passage of Proposition A will guarantee a sustainable funding source for the 911 system in Clay County for years to come. It will allow us to adapt to new technologies that will improve public safety here and in the Kansas City Metro area. It also decreases pressure on the County’s budget, which will maintain other County services at the level residents have come to expect. We appreciate the support for public safety in Clay County.”

The proposition approves a $1 monthly fee on any wireless device capable of calling 911. The fee will appear on residents’ monthly phone bill. That fee will cover the existing costs of the 911 system and allow the implementation of next-generation 911 features.

Some of these new features will include improved software to better locate 911 callers, the ability for dispatch centers to accept videos and photos, enhanced cyber security and more.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story