911 Communications Center
Overview
County Contribution to Services Overview
This budget provides the funding of the County’s share of costs for the Santa Cruz Regional 911 Center (SCR911). SCR911 operates as a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and integrates four separate communications center operations (the County and the cities of Watsonville, Santa Cruz and Capitola) into a single operation providing emergency dispatch services. The JPA also contracts to serve San Benito County and the City of Hollister.
The County’s contract with SCR911 provides emergency dispatch services for the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Works, Animal Services Authority, and Child Protective Services. Medical calls are handled by Emergency Medical Dispatchers using a computerized Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) system which enables dispatchers to correctly determine the medically appropriate level of response. The County administers the receipt of the County’s Emergency Response Fee collected on monthly bills by telephone companies and included in this budget.
Budget Summary
Department Budget Overview
Budget Summary of Changes
This budget includes a potential increase of $122,976 in member contributions for SCR911. It also decreases the emergency fee revenue by $185,000 from the 2023-24 Adopted Budget. This budget is currently under development and will be considered by the SCR911 Center Board and return to the County on June 4, 2024, with Last Day budget actions.
Supplemental Budget Summary of Changes
The 911 Communications Center is expecting an operating surplus in the current fiscal year and is dedicating this surplus to reducing member agency contributions. The Supplemental Budget reduces the County contribution by $29,326 in Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Adopted Budget Summary of Changes
The Adopted Budget adds $99,497 in expenditures for an increase in the County's allocated share of SCR911 member contributions.
District Sales Tax Contribution
The District Sales Tax contribution of $1,000,000 supports the County’s contribution to SCR911. This is part of the existing General Fund contribution to SCR911 but is being shown separately beginning in 2024-25.
Open the Services Overview or Operational Plan Objectives below for more details.
Department Services and Objectives
Footnotes
1 – Indicates change from FY 2021-22 Allowed Budget
2 – General Fund Contribution is the share of General County Revenues (primarily property tax and other local taxes) allocated to each department. Other funds that contribute to this budget are shown on the Budget Details page.
3 – Indicates change from FY 2021-22 Adjusted Funded Positions (including Board-approved mid-year changes as of April 1, 2022).
Budget Details
The charts below show department expenditures and revenues by division and service. Click on the pie charts to drill down for more detail. Complete detail can be found on the County's Transparency Portal.