Leaders OK New 911 Ballot Issue

On Tuesday Boone County leaders approved a new ballot initiative for April ballots.Commissioners passed a 3/8-cent sales tax to pay for a new 911 center. The measure would generate about $9 million a year. Officials discussed a 21,000 square-foot facility next to the Boone County sheriff’s department. They also want another four positions, adding about 20 full-time employees.Normally, only one person takes all the calls for Boone County in a day. Joint Communications also shares a building with the police department, and people have to leave the building to go to the bathroom.According to acting operations manager Joe Piper, 128 calls a month go unanswered for more than a minute on average in Boone County.