# Jackson County Approves Iowa Dispatch Funding Agreement

On September 22 (year not specified), Jackson County supervisors approved a proposed agreement to fund the county’s 911 and emergency dispatch center through fixed population-based shares, replacing informal cost sharing. The agreement is not yet effective: participating entities must still approve it, and it must be filed with the Iowa Secretary of State. Actual FY 2027–28 costs are expected after Maquoketa completes audited financial information in fall 2026; the cited $700,000–$725,000 personnel-cost range is illustrative, not an established contract value or solicitation.

- The agreement creates a more defined basis for participating governments to plan and allocate dispatch operating costs, but the final FY 2027–28 amounts remain pending.
- No procurement or solicitation is announced. Dispatch technology, communications, and support providers should treat this as an operational and budget-planning signal, not an active bidding opportunity.
- Companies serving the participating governments can use the approval and cost-finalization process to understand when shared dispatch budgets may become clearer; any future procurement would depend on separate purchasing decisions.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Public Safety
**Topics:** Emergency Response
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Jackson County
- City of Maquoketa
- City of Bellevue
- City of Preston
- City of Sabula

### Key Quotes
> This is a very delicate discussion that cannot afford to fail.
> — Josh Boldt, Maquoketa City Manager

> Population is the only way to look at cost.
> — Shane E. Nixon, Sabula Police Chief

### Sources
- [Jackson County approves formal dispatch agreement | News | bellevueheraldleader.com](https://www.bellevueheraldleader.com/news/jackson-county-approves-formal-dispatch-agreement/article_eb0990f1-9a18-4ec7-a209-3c3f8b84cbf1.html) - Bellevue Herald Leader