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County 911 director says governor's veto of SJR 0048 leaves local centers facing $580,000 annual shortfall
Summary
Sher Maxville, Bradley County's 911 director, told commissioners that Governor Bill Lee's veto of SJR 0048 — a measure that would have raised the emergency-communications surcharge from $1.50 to $1.86 per line — removes an expected $580,000 a year in revenue and forces local governments to cover upgrades and staffing needs.
Sher Maxville, Bradley County's 911 director, told the county commission that Governor Bill Lee's veto of Senate Joint Resolution 0048 will leave the county's emergency communications center without roughly $580,000 in expected annual revenue.
Maxville said the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board recommended raising the per-line surcharge from $1.50 to $1.86 (a 36-cent increase) after the board determined the charge had not been adjusted in about six years. She said the change was intended to cover recurring operational costs, equipment replacement on a four- to five-year cycle, cybersecurity needs and staffing pressures.
"We were expecting an increase in revenue of about $580,000 a year, which we desperately need," Maxville said. "Strong 911 systems save lives." She added that counties typically rely on the surcharge and local government contributions to fund operations because the General Assembly does not include a line item for 911 funding in its budget.
Commissioner Blake said he was "deeply disappointed" by the veto and that the measure had passed both chambers before being returned unsigned. Maxville said the governor's letter to legislative leaders framed the increase as a tax rather than a user fee, noting the board's and local officials' disagreement with that characterization.
Officials discussed next steps: Maxville said she spoke with Mayor Gary Davis, who serves on the communications board, and that the city and county could prepare a joint resolution supporting reintroduction of the rate change in the next legislative session. Commissioners also discussed directing staff to draft a county resolution urging lawmakers to reintroduce the surcharge increase.
No formal vote was taken at the meeting. Commissioners raised questions about timing and whether a special call or interim action was feasible before the legislature reconvenes; staff said the General Assembly has adjourned and would not return until the next regular session.
What happens next: staff and local leaders said they plan to work with the county's legislative delegation and the city to seek reintroduction of the measure or other legislative fixes in the next session.
