A millage renewal will appear on the November 4, 2025 ballot for voters in St. Joseph County, asking them to approve a property tax of 0.9 mill over a period of five (5) years, which is a DECREASE from the current millage that expires at the end of 2025. 

The purpose of this millage renewal request is to adequately provide funds for services and programs managed by St. Joseph County Central Dispatch.

From January 2026 to December 2030, the 0.9 mill means a tax of $0.90 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

Funding for the millage provides:

• Maintenance of county-wide emergency telephone services for residents
• Continued 24/7 emergency response dispatching services
• Upkeep of 800 MHz radio system, connecting police, fire, and EMS
• Ongoing implementation of technology including Text to 911
• After-hours emergency contact with vital services, like public works and utilities

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Central Dispatch is charged with the following primary tasks:

• Answer all 911 and non-emergency calls within St. Joseph County and provide direction or instruction to those callers.
• Dispatch a total of 22 police, fire and ambulance services.
• Provide an after-hours answering point for the Human Services Agency and all county Department of Public works

Fourteen extensively trained full-time and 2 authorized part-time personnel staff the center 24 hours, 365 days a year, providing service to our county’s 61,295 residents in an area of 512 square miles. The center also houses the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), used in the event of a large casualty or extended duration event; the EOC is also used by various agencies and groups for meetings and training.

Text to 911

St. Joseph County Central Dispatch is capable of receiving Text to 911 calls from cell phones. In cases where people cannot speak, or it is not safe to speak, they may text directly to 911 if they have an emergency. 911 dispatcher will text directly back to them and determine what and where their emergency is and send help.

Medical Support Information

• Life Support Medical Release Form (PDF)

We are striving to develop a database of County residents who require specialized life support services. By completing this form and forwarding it to Central Dispatch, this information can help us prioritize welfare checks in the event of a County emergency.

St. Joseph County Michigan E-911 Central Dispatch strives to provide the best emergency services possible. We recognize that there are some residents of St. Joseph County that require special medical needs. Some of the special needs can be hampered in severe weather conditions rather it be from power outages, or icy roads. It is our goal to make sure that in those conditions that every effort is made to assist in that difficult time. Therefore, the St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch Center is offering to maintain a database of those residents of St. Joseph County. Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) we are not permitted to obtain your special medical needs without your permission.

This form is intended to allow the release of your personal medical information to allow the St. Joseph County E-911 Central Dispatch Center to obtain this vital information and create a database for the sole purpose of assisting those with special medical needs during critical times. By signing this document, your are consenting for any agency having such valuable information to release such personal information to the St. Joseph County Michigan E-911 Central Dispatch Center for the sole purpose mentioned.

More questions?

If you have other questions about Central Dispatch or would like to arrange for a group tour, please contact the center at (269) 467-4195.