Pendleton County Commission Approves Amended Enhanced 911 Fee Ordinance

The Pendleton County Commission on Feb. 17, 2026 adopted an amendment to the county's enhanced 911 ordinance that sets monthly per-line charges for phone service.

The ordinance amendment, listed on the meeting agenda, sets monthly fees at $8.00 for each business line (including business Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, lines), $8.00 for each Centrex line and $8.00 for each PBX line, and $5.00 per month for each residential line (including VoIP). The agenda text also states that Tel-Assistance lines are exempt.

Commissioner Carl Hevener, president, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Commissioner Roger Dahmer moved to approve the amended ordinance; Commissioner Jimmie Bennett seconded. “There being no objections or comments, on motion of Commissioner Dahmer, seconded by Commissioner Bennett, vote unanimous, the amended ordinance was approved,” the record states.

The transcript does not record debate over how proceeds from the fees will be used nor provide an ordinance number. The motion passed unanimously with the three commissioners who were present: Commissioner Carl Hevener, Commissioner Roger Dahmer and Commissioner Jimmie Bennett.

On a separate motion, Commissioner Jimmie Bennett moved to adjourn; the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

The agenda text and the meeting minutes list Karen Pitsenbarger as county administrator, Elise White as county clerk, Rick Gillespie as emergency services coordinator and Diana Mitchell as 911 director as present at the meeting; none of those staff members are recorded in the transcript as making statements about the amendment.