Mayfield council warned of possible county 9-1-1 household fee; town budget may need to cover transition costs
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Summary
County presenters told mayors that a new 9-1-1 system could shift costs to municipalities and possibly to households as a $3.54 monthly utility surcharge; Mayfield council discussed alternatives such as carrier billing or higher ambulance/police cost-shares and noted the town's current annual 9-1-1 payment is about $12,083.
At the April 1 work meeting the Mayfield Town Council heard from Chair (speaker 2) that the county told mayors it may stop funding a new 9‑1‑1 dispatch system and instead seek to collect through municipal assessments or a per-household fee on utility bills. The county presentation — discussed at a recent mayors-and-commissioners meeting — included a worst-case estimate of about $3.54 per household per month.
Council reaction and options: Council members questioned how unincorporated households would be assessed and whether carriers (electric or utility companies) or ambulance associations could collect the fee. One council member noted the town’s prior annual 9‑1‑1 payment was roughly $12,083 and said the town’s budget must plan for a January payment even though its budget process begins in June.
Direct quote: “It was presented that every municipality would have to pay for it... the worst case scenario... $3.54, household that we would put on our utility bill to have 9‑1‑1 services,” Chair said.
Next steps and fiscal timeline: Councilmembers asked staff to watch county decisions and to expect a request for exact billing amounts by May so the town can factor any charge into the tentative budget. Council members discussed treating the charge as a line-item service fee on utility bills rather than raising property taxes so residents see a monthly line for the service.
Ending: The council did not adopt any billing policy at the meeting; staff will return with additional information when the county finalizes its approach.