Edina Notifies Knox County It Will Leave 911 Agreement in 2026
By Echo Menges
EDINA, Mo. — The city of Edina has officially notified Knox County that it intends to withdraw from the joint 911 cost-share agreement in January, citing financial shortfalls.
The city submitted its letter of notification dated Dec. 9. The agreement, formed in 2013, split the cost of enhanced 911 dispatch services among Knox County, the Knox County Ambulance District and the city of Edina. Each party has paid one-third of the total cost annually.
This year, Edina’s share amounted to $31,629.
According to the city’s letter, the cost of 911 services has increased steadily while the city’s general revenue has remained flat. Officials said Edina can no longer afford to cover its portion without cutting other essential services, including police coverage, street maintenance, and city operations.
In place of its 911 contribution, the city plans to use the funds to hire a full-time police chief at a higher rate of pay and focused on city ordinance enforcement and non-emergency services.
The issue was the focus of a Knox County Commission meeting held Dec. 17. County officials, the ambulance district board, representatives from Edina and several local volunteer fire departments gathered to discuss the financial and operational impact of Edina’s planned exit.
Sheriff Carl Knoche said the sheriff’s office is already stretched thin and that a further reduction in local law enforcement coverage would put additional strain on his small team. Knoche noted the office has historically staffed a sheriff and two deputies — barely enough to cover the county’s needs.
“We need more law enforcement, not less,” Knoche said.
Knox County Ambulance District Co-Manager Deanna McKenzie said the ambulance service is also operating on the edge, with staffing and funding falling short of what’s needed to maintain current levels of care.
“If we had to pick up more of this dispatch funding, the ambulance district simply can’t afford it,” McKenzie said. “You’re ultimately going to pay the price — whether that’s reduced coverage or longer response times.”
“By burdening the ambulance district more, you’re not only losing police force, but you’re threatening to lose your ambulance service as well,” said ambulance district board member Merlin Oberholtzer.
With Edina stepping away, county leaders now face a funding gap of more than $30,000 to maintain service with the Macon County E-911 center. Bringing dispatch back in-house or switching providers could lead to significantly higher costs.
“It’s not just Edina. Newark, none of the other cities have pitched in on anything,” said Edina Alderman Rick Yoakum. “Everybody pays county taxes. City of Edina pays county taxes. It all goes to the county, and I don’t see why the city really has to be responsible.”
“Do we ask the rural fire departments to pay part of this? How do we finance it? It’s got to come from somewhere. There are no free rides,” said Presiding Commissioner Les Cardwell. “Other options are a lot more expensive. It’s not even in the ballpark.”
“You want to know why Novelty, Hurdland, Knox City don’t pay their fair share? We don’t have a police department,” said Tom Boatman, a Hurdland alderman and volunteer firefighter.
Officials also discussed Edina’s nonemergency calls, which would still incur a cost if routed through the E-911 system.
Several possible solutions were discussed, including putting a countywide sales tax on the ballot or exploring a telecommunications surcharge.
No official action was taken during the meeting.
A video of the full public meeting is available on YouTube @TheEdinaSentinel.
This is an ongoing story. More information will be given when it becomes available.
