County?s 911 surcharge in jeopardy

The Washington County Communications Center is facing a significant reduction in revenue pending a bill that is before Gov. Terry Branstad. The bill, Senate File 2332, would limit the monthly landline surcharges for 911 equipment to $1. Washington County?s landline surcharge is $1.50 per month. Washington County Communications Supervisor Cara Sorrells said emergency communications would lose about $30,000 in annual revenue if the bill becomes law. If passed, the reduction in the surcharge to $1 per month would take effect January 2013.

Apart from limiting the monthly surcharge to $1, the bill would increase the amount of money counties receive from cell phone customers. Sorrells said she receives about 16 cents from cell phone users, and that number is expected to increase to 32 cents under the bill. She said that is not enough to make up for the reduction to the landline surcharge. She expects to lose $50,000 from the reduction in the landline surcharge but only gain $20,000 of that back through increased cell phone charges.

?We?re going to be strapped,? Sorrells said.

Sorrells said that she doesn?t anticipate any large expenditures around the corner. However, she said that if the state mandated a new piece of equipment, the communications center would be hard-pressed to finance it.

Sorrells spoke about Senate File 2332 at the Washington County E911 Board meeting Monday night. Board chairman Bob Shepherd said he didn?t understand why the state legislators would support the bill.

?Are they saying we don?t need 911 anymore?? Shepherd asked. ?This is funding local people voted on. That?s what?s infuriating.?

Sorrells said Washington County and Shelby County are the only counties that charge more than $1 per month for 911 equipment. Shelby County charges $2.50 per month. In order for a county to charge more than $1 per month, the voters must approve the surcharge by popular vote, which is done every two years. Sorrells said that the county?s residents will not have the chance to renew the $1.50 monthly surcharge if the bill passes.