By NEAL A. JOHNSON
Unterrified Democrat Editor

The option to renew the 911 sales tax as it is now is causing a few hard feelings among fire chiefs in Osage County, who don’t believe Sheriff Carl Fowler’s department is doing a good job.

The original tax included funding for both 911 and the sheriff’s department, and recent concerns have drifted toward how that funding should be split. More importantly to those gathered was the concern that even if Fowler left things the way they are with regard to funding, a future sheriff might not see things the same way.“We don’t want to throw Carl out in the street,” said Meta chief Kenny Helton. “But we need to make sure 911 operating funds are secure.”Freeburg chief John Hilke was the most outspoken about the lack of service provided by the sheriff.“We can’t count on them to be there when we need them,” he said. “There’s either no response or very little effort by the sheriff. We’ve got it pretty bad here in Freeburg and there are two deputies living here. We’re not going to respond to any more calls unless the sheriff does.”Recently, Hilke said, his department worked an accident with no support from law enforcement, a member of the community stepping in to direct traffic.“That’s just dangerous, and there’s no reason for it,” Hilke added at last Wednesday’s meeting of fire chiefs, which included some members of the 911 advisory committee.

911 Director Andi Rice urged those with complaints to log them with the sheriff, with the hope that something will be done.Osage Ambulance District administrator Mark Schaefer said a group should sit down with Fowler and explain the situation, and try to work something out.

The consensus among those present was that whether the sheriff’s department is included in the ballot or not, some work will need to be done to explain the needs and why the tax is necessary.“Very few people care about how the money is split up,” said D.J. Schroeder. “They just want 911.”The measure voters approved in November 2001 allowed for a 10-year sales tax of one-half cent, to be used for both 911 and law enforcement.

As the expiration nears, continued funding will require another vote of the people, which is what has emergency personnel worried.“I think people are much more likely to vote for a tax that’s already in place,” said Presiding Commissioner Russell Scheulen, who also sits on the 911 advisory committee. “If we go the other way, we really need something for the sheriff’s department.”Scheulen said a half-cent sales tax for 911 would be more than enough, especially if the sheriff’s budget was no longer funded by it; however, he added that a quarter-cent sales tax should be sought to fund Fowler’s department.“We’re one of the few counties in Missouri that does not have a sales tax devoted to the sheriff,” Scheulen added. “Other county officials I talk to say they can’t believe we can fund our sheriff out of general revenue. The truth is we can’t.”Fowler’s funding has come primarily from general revenue, with money pulled from the 911 sales tax to balance the books.Scheulen went on to say he thinks voters won’t approve a “new” tax, even though it would simply be replacing the existing tax, which expires at the end of 2010.“With the economy the way it is, I’m just not sure,” he said.“What we have to do is educate the public,” said Schaefer.

The other key to successful passage will be the support of the various emergency entities throughout the county, all of which rely on 911 for dispatching services.As such, Rice will send out a letter to all agencies requesting an opinion on which way to go, whether it be to renew the existing tax or ask voters to approve a stand-alone tax for just 911.“The consensus here is to protect 911, not screw over the sheriff,” Rice said.Whatever the consensus is, all materials will be presented to commissioners, who will decide whether to place the issue on the ballot.

If commissioners opt not to add the measure, supporters could still put it on the ballot with a petition signed by 10 percent of voters from the previous election.

A little further down the road, should a stand-alone tax be sought and achieved, 911 would then become an independently governed entity, requiring a board of directors.While that may be a bit far out to contemplate much now, it could have a bearing on what emergency agencies decide to do. The biggest reason is that according to Scheulen, all 911 equipment belongs to the county, and as such, would remain in the county’s possession.If 911 remained where it is, rent would be established for the offices and equipment, Scheulen said. Moving to another location, however, would need to be addressed. Hilke argued that 911 funds paid for the equipment, and it belongs to 911. Scheulen, however, said that 911 operated under the umbrella of the county.