Vote 'yes' on Wheeling 911 question
The tax increase being sought by Wheeling to help pay for its 911 service is without ambiguity. The money - an additional 70 cents per month for every land line - goes directly to the 911 fund, where it pays for radio equipment, computer aided dispatch (the instant maps that help dispatchers get emergency personnel to the right address), backup generators, switching equipment, phone lines and maintenance contracts. It is not for salaries or benefits.
Since the village initiated the 911 charge in 1989 (it went live in 1990) at 75 cents, the money in hand has paid for system upgrades. The village started the 911 fund with a cushion, and the surcharges coming in kept them ahead of the curve over the years, as they upgraded the system to enable it to take 911 calls from wireless phones and give medical advice in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive. Now, 20 years later, as fewer people are using landlines the money from that surcharge has dwindled, while the wireless surcharges haven't made up the difference.
The 911 system will not be doomed if voters reject this increase. It's a look to the future, and an attempt to keep the 911 infrastructure free from compromises. If the 911 fund runs dry, the village's general fund will have to be appealed to for system upgrades - which the village could agree to or not, depending on what else they think they need to spend the money on. We would prefer the 911 system not get caught in the tug-of-war that goes on with too few general funds.
We're not experts on 911 technology, but Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac is, and he hopes this measure passes. He believes Wheeling has about 18 months before the 911 savings account is depleted enough where the fire department will have to ask the general fund for help with system upgrades.
With the increase, the 911 system will get about $450,000 a year in surcharges; enough to keep it independent of the village general fund.
Every resident in Wheeling potentially benefits from 911, and we believe it is worth protecting. We urge a yes vote on Feb. 2.