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Dispatch Center Reaching Income Cap

Macomb, IL – Macomb's dispatching center is facing the cost of a major equipment upgrade. It's also receiving almost level income from the telephone surcharges that help support it. Emergency Telephone Systemn Board treasurer Charles Gilbert says within a few years, the center will have to either have a referendum on increasing the monthly charge, or finding some other revenue source. He says the surcharge pays about one-third of the center's operating cost. The City of Macomb and the county split the rest. He says unless the surcharge is increased, the city and county will have to pay more from their general revenue. Gilbert says within a few years an equipment upgrade, the first since the center opened 13 years ago, is expected to cost about $350,000.