Gogebic County 911 surcharge increased by 30 cents per month

BESSEMER — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners agreed Wednesday to increase a special 9-1-1 monthly surcharge by 30 cents per telephone or mobile device.

The present charge is $1 per phone or device, but county voters authorized charging up to $1.65 in the November election.

Gogebic County Emergency Management Coordinator Jim Loeper, who proposed the increase at the last county board meeting, offered a long list of reasons the increase is needed . He said the number of devices that fall under the surcharge are decreasing, bringing in less money.

Meanwhile, costs for dispatching, insurance and equipment are going up, Loeper said.

He also said $40,000 in radio equipment needs to be purchased and backup power repairs at the sheriff's department is an issue to the tune of $12,000.

But the biggest expense needed in the county is from $80,000 to $100,000 to update pagers, he said.

The increase approved by the board Wednesday will mean a customer will pay an added $3.60 a year for each device, Loeper noted.

The added 30-cent charge was recommended by the county's 9-1-1 committee.

After meeting with Loeper, county board chair Joe Bonovetz, of Bessemer, said he was convinced the increase is needed.

It passed 6-0, with Jim Oliver, of Ironwood, absent.

In other business Wednesday, the board learned drivers' testing will return to Gogebic County.

Commissioner Bob Orlich, of Wakefield, said he was informed by the Michigan Department of Transportation that a third-party testing site will be set up at a location to be determined.

People now have to travel to Houghton or Crystal Falls to take tests for commercial driver's licenses or for simply operating a motor vehicle.

The examiner is self-employed and, as of yet, no one is signed up to administer the tests, Orlich said.