State board OKs study of potential 911 consolidation • South Dakota Searchlight

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.