A Grays Harbor County E911 proposal would increase emergency communications service fees across the county, which prompted City of Hoquiam officials to say they were blindsided when they learned the city’s rate would raise by 50 percent if the board’s budget is approved.

However, E911 Administrative Board Chairwoman Vicki Raines said Hoquiam Mayor Jasmine Dickhoff, who holds a seat on the board, had numerous chances to weigh in on the proposal.

“We have been discussing this budget since July, and the City of Hoquiam has not had a representative at any of those meetings,” said Raines. She further said that, since becoming mayor, Dickhoff has only attended one of the bimonthly board meetings in person and one via conference call.

It was Hoquiam City Administrator Brian Shay who announced the increase at last week’s council meeting.

“In 2017 the city paid $95,000 for 911 services,” he said. He said under the E911 board’s plan for 2018, the city would pay between $149,000 and $175,000, about a 50 percent increase.

The 911 board planned to meet today in Montesano to discuss the proposal. Shay said he planned to speak out on the budget proposal, and Dickhoff said she would be there casting her “no” vote.

“Mayor Dickhoff has received multiple emails in advance of each meeting we have had, including spreadsheets that started with several budget options, which we have narrowed down,” said Raines. “She has not attended any of those meetings or sent a representative.”

The rate increase would be enacted to help cover the cost of signal tower improvements and other upgrades to a system that has had issues in several areas of the county, notably McCleary, Westport and Oakville. Raines stressed the hike is necessary and said Dickhoff had plenty of time to be a part of the budget making process.

“The increase is related to the radio improvements necessary within our system to ensure that our law enforcement and fire protection agencies are heard accurately, and the 911 center can hear accurately in return,” said Raines.

“I understand the city administrator’s and the council’s frustration,” continued Raines. “But it is not my responsibility as chair of the board to go to a mayor’s staff and tell them there’s a problem.”

She said it’s the mayor’s responsibility to stay up to date with the board’s actions and communicate them to her staff and council members.

The rate increase is based on a different formula than the one used in previous budgets.

“It used to be based on calls and population. Now we are going with the cost per call,” said Raines. “We took the totals from 2014-16 and averaged them out. The administrative board studied the results and voted to go with cost per call.”

Today’s meeting will be held at 4 p.m. in the county commission chambers in Montesano.