The South Dakota 911 Coordination Board commissioned a study Monday into the feasibility of consolidation among the 32 separately managed dispatch centers in the state. 

Some state senators pressed the issue of consolidation during the 2024 legislative session, hoping to encourage regionalization in exchange for an increase in the phone-customer surcharge that funds 911 operations. The Legislature and Gov. Kristi Noem approved a 911 surcharge increase of 75 cents, from $1.25 to $2, with a 2026 sunset clause in order to review the increase.

The projected annual revenue from the $2 per line monthly surcharge is about $19.95 million, which public safety officials said was needed to sustain adequate 911 responses statewide. The surcharge is collected by phone companies, which then give the revenue to the state, which keeps some to fund its statewide 911 coordination efforts and gives the rest to local governments for their 911 call centers. 

The study will be conducted by 911 Authority, which has worked with the state for years on South Dakota’s “Next Generation 911” system, which is meant to keep redundancies in place in case 911 systems are disrupted. 911 outages have happened twice in 2024.

Jim Lockard, senior project consultant for 911 Authority, told 911 board members the study would be completed by the end of this year. The company will charge the state $70,000 for the study, according to a written proposal.

The study will analyze call data and volume, technology use, staffing and facility needs, as well as costs. Lockard said 911 Authority would suggest another model to increase efficiency if its findings suggest consolidation is not the best option.

“Some could be factors for consolidation, some could be reasons not to consolidate,” Lockard said. “Sitting here today, I can’t tell you that it’s going to be a necessary and a good thing for South Dakota.”

Board member Duane Sutton, a Brown County commissioner, said the study would be a “valuable tool” when presenting needs and proposing legislation to make the $2 surcharge permanent next session.

House Speaker Hugh Bartels, R-Watertown, introduced the surcharge legislation last winter.

“I think this study might help,” Bartels said. “I think there are some areas of the state that should consolidate.”

While some dispatch centers cover several counties (Bartels’ local dispatch center in Watertown spans five counties), some dispatch centers cover one county.

Although the 911 board authorized the study, the board does not have the authority to consolidate dispatch centers. That’ll likely take legislative action, said Bartels, who is not seeking reelection in November.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, with 21 other attorneys general are demanding answers from online retailer Temu regarding its alleged ties with the Chinese Communist Party.

This includes data collection and sharing practices, and possible violations of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).

The attorney general sent a letter to the president of Temu and the CEO of PPD Holdings Inc., Temu’s parent company, asking for answers to several questions within 30 days.

The questions cover issues such as whether Temu or PPD Holdings, Inc. collects and sells U.S. consumer data; whether former Chinse Communist Party members who are reported to be on the executive leadership team have access to U.S. consumer data; and, whether Temu can certify the products sold on their platform are not produced by slave labor.

“There have been concerns expressed about possible ties Temu may have to the Chinese Communist Party, and whether the company has failed to comply with American laws prohibiting the use of forced labor,” said Jackley. “We need better answers from the company than Congress has received in the past.”

Other attorneys general signing the letter are from Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KOTA. All rights reserved.

The OSU football team will kick off its 2024 season with a home game against South Dakota State at 1 p.m. CT Saturday.

OSU is entering its 20th season under head coach Mike Gundy. It went 10-4 (7-2 Big 12) last season and defeated Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

South Dakota State is entering its second season under head coach Jimmy Rogers. It went 15-0 (8-0 MVFC) last season and won the FCS national championship.

Here’s how you can get tickets to the game:

See Oklahoma State football ticket prices for every game this season

Oklahoma State tickets vs South Dakota State

Ticket prices for the OSU vs South Dakota State game at Boone Pickens Stadium start at $43 on StubHub and $43 on Vivid Seats. Prices in the lower bowl range from $43 to $180 on both sites.

To see a full list of ticket prices, visit StubHub and Vivid Seats.

More: Which Oklahoma State football game is most important this season?

Oklahoma State football 2024 schedule

All times are Central Standard Time

• Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. South Dakota State at 1 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Arkansas at 11 a.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: at Tulsa at 11 a.m. (ESPN 2)
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Utah at TBD
• Saturday, Sept. 28: at Kansas State at TBD
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. West Virginia at TBD
• Friday, Oct. 18: at BYU at 9:15 p.m. (ESPN)
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at Baylor at TBD
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Arizona State at TBD
• Saturday, Nov. 9: at TCU at TBD
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Texas Tech at TBD
• Friday, Nov. 29: at Colorado at 11 a.m. (ABC/ESPN+)

More: Where does Oklahoma State football rank in Big 12 strength of schedule?

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.