Local Emergency Management Sounds Alarm on 911 Funding Provision in Iowa SF659

Winneshiek County Emergency Management is sounding the alarm over a recently passed Iowa law that could jeopardize 911 operations, especially in rural areas of northeast Iowa, by shifting "undefined" costs onto local service boards. Senate File 659 (SF659), a broad appropriations bill passed in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session, includes a provision—Division XII, now codified as Iowa Code Section 34A.1A—authorizing the state's 911 Program to bill local Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for "reasonable costs" associated with call delivery. These charges must be paid within 30 days. However, agencies statewide claim the law lacks necessary clarity on billing procedures, timelines, and amounts. "This provision was passed without transparency, public debate, or input from local stakeholders," said Chris Showalter, President of the Iowa Emergency Management Association (IEMA). "It's another unfunded mandate adding unpredictable financial strain at a time when budgets are already tight." Showalter noted that emergency management agencies in Iowa's 99 counties are already under pressure following House File 718, passed in 2023, which limited the ability of local governments to adjust property tax revenues. In a joint statement, the Iowa chapters of the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) warned the measure could result in staffing cuts, delayed upgrades, and greater burdens on local agencies. They described Division XII as a "last-minute, unfunded mandate" that sidestepped public input and legislative committee review. "Surprise bills from the state could lead to staffing cuts, delayed equipment upgrades, and slower emergency response—especially in rural communities," said Chris Jasper, President of Iowa NENA. The groups are urging Governor Kim Reynolds to issue a line-item veto and collaborate with local stakeholders on a more sustainable solution. Coalition Urges Governor to Intervene That call was echoed at a press conference Monday at the Polk County Sheriff's Office, where a coalition of public safety officials gathered in unified opposition to the provision. Led by the Iowa State Sheriffs' & Deputies' Association (ISSDA), the coalition included representatives from 11 statewide organizations including law enforcement, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and 911 professionals. "It is rare for all of our organizations to come together under one banner," said ISSDA President Sheriff Keith Davis. "But the issue at hand is simply too important to ignore." Speakers warned that Division XII's vague language could have the most immediate consequences for dispatch centers—particularly in rural counties—where budgets are already stretched. "Our 911 centers already operate under tight financial constraints," said Nic Brisefio, Vice President of Iowa APCO, "Unexpected billing could lead to longer response times and affect the reliability of Iowa's emergency services." Local Impact in Winneshiek County Sean Snyder, Emergency Management Coordinator and 911 Communications Center Director for Winneshiek County, said the lack of specifics in the law makes responsible budgeting nearly impossible. "The best comparison I can give you is: imagine you're in year 10 of a 30-year mortgage, and the bank suddenly says it's changing the payment structure. You'll get a bill next month, and only then will you find out what you owe. No other details. How do you budget for that?" Snyder said. While SF659 also includes funding for education and health programs, it's the emergency communications portion that has drawn sharp and widespread criticism. Snyder said that both local and state 911 officials worked throughout the legislative session to find a compromise, including through subcommittees and public hearings—but none was reached. One proposal, raising the $1.00 surcharge on phone lines to $1.25 to cover rising state and local costs, failed to gain traction in the legislature. "Landlines are steadily declining statewide," Snyder said. "And while wireless phones are also subject to the $1.00 surcharge, the state keeps 40% of that. Only 60% goes to local PSAPs. That 40% is at the heart of this issue." Unlike many public services, local 911 boards do not receive property tax revenues. Their funding comes exclusively from landline and wireless surcharges, which must cover all allowable expenses under Iowa Code 34A—including tower infrastructure, dispatch equipment, and software. If surcharge revenue is reduced or redirected, Snyder warned that counties like Winneshiek may face difficult choices. Awaiting Governor's Decision Snyder shared he "wholeheartedly supports" the coalition's veto request and urged state officials to use reserve funds in the short term while developing a longer-term fix. But perhaps his most compelling argument lies in the real-world consequence the bill could have—especially for someone relying on help in a moment of crisis. "I would ask the public: What is your plan if you call 911 and no one is there to answer?" he said. "If this bill remains in effect, funding could quickly disappear. Those bills won't stop just because the money does." With the law now in effect, local officials like Snyder say they are bracing for potential financial impacts, seeking further guidance from the state and urging the Governor to veto the fee. Governor Reynolds has not yet announced whether she will issue a line-item veto for Division XII. SF659 awaits her signature.