Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network

The meeting covers reports from the Executive Director, Fiscal Division, 9-1-1 Services Division, Operations Division, and Information Technology Division, including financial updates, call statistics, and cyber security systems. Additionally, it features a public hearing regarding the continuation of the emergency network and service fee, the recognition of award winners, and executive sessions to discuss legal and personnel matters.

The Board of Managers meeting included updates on the 9-1-1 Goes to Washington, D.C. conference and a review of performance and financial reports for the fiscal year. Key topics included discussions on rolling twelve-month data visualization for public outreach, wireless revenue trends, and operational metrics for 9-1-1 services and call centers. The board reviewed training initiatives, including school safety mapping integration and preparations for upcoming major international events. Additionally, the board approved a resolution recognizing Public Safety Telecommunicator Week and discussed potential solutions to improve mental health support for telecommunicators by addressing incident follow-up procedures.

Key discussions during the meeting included Board Member comments expressing appreciation for staff dedication and updates on potential conference attendance in Washington, D.C., and efforts to establish a 501(c)(3) for recognizing telecommunicators. The Executive Director reported on performance metrics, noting continued improvement in Service Level Agreements (SLAs) during the transition period. The Public Education Report detailed outreach activities, social media engagement statistics, and future education strategies concerning 911 usage and multimedia capabilities. The Fiscal Division Report reviewed the financial update, noting a decrease in cash primarily due to maturities and capital expenditures, while overall book value exceeded projections. The 9-1-1 Services Division Report presented PSAP statistics, showing overall activity consistent, though noting a slight decline in total 911 sessions for the year, particularly with a decrease in call volume for the Houston Emergency Center and Harris County Sheriff's Office. Training activities reviewed included equipment courses and management certifications hosted by GHC. The Operations Division reported on the necessary replacement of a fire controller at the Northern Data Center to ensure system reliability. The IT Division reported on GIS activity, notable increases in out-of-area call transfers following new entity onboarding, and stable cybersecurity metrics.

The meeting addressed several key operational and financial matters. Discussions included spreading awareness regarding the federal 9-1-1 reclassification bill, with potential for a U.S. House vote soon. The board reviewed capabilities and public education needs concerning 9-1-1 contact through smart home devices, noting that staff would research provider inconsistencies. The Executive Director reported strong organizational activity, meeting SLAs, and an ongoing investigation into a recent one-hour texting outage across all call centers. Community outreach highlighted high social media engagement, including a viral post about 911 usage. The Fiscal Division reported that the FY 2026 budget was officially approved, and the organization projected ending the fiscal year under budget despite increased spending on capital projects. A significant portion of the fiscal discussion centered on strategies for a potential 9-1-1 fee increase, focusing on coordinated legislative engagement. The board unanimously approved the Investment Policy for 2025-2026. Operational statistics showed stable call service levels, with an uptick in text-to-911 activity, and some PSAPs showed slight call volume decreases attributed partly to public education efforts. Training updates detailed recent in-person and online courses, including specialized homicide training and leadership academy sessions.

The meeting addressed several key areas including a request for additional financial support to address staffing needs, updates on public information and education efforts, and the financial report for the period ending June 30, 2025. The board discussed inviting vendors to present periodically to enhance transparency and accountability. Updates were provided on call volumes, staffing, and training activities, including supervisory courses and emergency dispatch protocols. Facility updates covered roof repairs at the Tom Bass building. A budget workshop led to the approval of the operational and capital budget, including a 3.5% salary increase. The annual golf tournament was also discussed, with appreciation expressed for the staff's efforts in organizing the event.