JASPER, Tenn. – City leaders in Jasper are upset over an $8,000 increase in its 911 service fee, and they want answers about the escalation,
At its April meeting, the Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed a letter from Marion County Mayor David Jackson’s office indicating the forthcoming increase in costs.
“It was to kind of let you know what’s coming,” City Attorney Mark Raines told the board about the letter. “To plan on whenever the budget talks and discussions start.”
Currently, Jasper pays $50,000 annually for the countywide 911 service.
Mayor Paul Evans said he doesn’t know what other Marion County municipalities pay, but $58,000 is still cheaper than what it would cost Jasper to fund its own dispatch service.
“Sixteen percent is pretty heavy,” Alderman Paul “Mac” Bumpus said about the increase.
Alderman Paul West said a county employee told him recently the maps in the computer system used on 911 calls in Marion have not been updated in 12 years.
“They’re spending a lot of money on other stuff, but some of the main things it should be spent on [they aren’t],” he said. “That’s what this employee was telling me. They’ve spent a lot of money on gee-whiz items.”
West said he wants to meet with someone who knows “the inner workings” of Marion’s 911 operations with “the knowledge and horsepower” to tell the board why the increase is needed.
“Bring us some figures,” Alderman Steve Looney said. “I’d like to see how much it’s gone up on a yearly basis or whatever, and why. This [letter] is more or less telling us we’re going to put up $8,000 more.”
Another issue that seems “peculiar,” West said, is that addresses aren’t posted in front of many businesses and houses.
He said the same county employee told him money was appropriated years ago through Marion’s 911 service for that, but it was never done.
“So, when we got this [letter], I was wondering who is sitting somewhere to tell us we need $8,000 more here,” West said. “Then you hear these stories of maybe the money is not being spent. Who’s on these boards, and who’s making this decision to tell us to hand over $8,000?”
Raines texted 911 Board Chairman and Marion Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett during the discussion, and Burnett replied that Jasper’s representative is either Marion Emergency Management Director Steve Lamb or himself.
Raines said he would ask Burnett to attend the next city meeting.
“Really, I don’t know what alternative we have, but I would like to know [the reason] anyway,” Alderman Leon Rash said.
Burnett texted Raines again to say the service’s maps are updated weekly, and that Marion E-911 Director Jerry Don Case would attend the board’s next regular meeting on May 9 to answer questions.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.