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Committee backs proposal to raise Montgomery County 9-1-1 fee to $1.47 per line to close operational gap
Summary
OMB told the Public Safety Committee the county could raise the subscriber 9-1-1 fee from $0.75 to $1.47 to cover a projected $12.5 million shortfall in emergency communications funding; county counsel recommended language tied to the upcoming fiscal year and required notifications to state authorities.
OMB told the Public Safety Committee that the executive transmitted a proposed resolution to increase the county 9-1-1 fee from 75 cents to $1.47 per telephone subscriber, which is estimated to raise about $12.5 million to close a projected operational funding gap for emergency communications.
Committee counsel noted the state authorizing statute (Maryland Code, Public Safety —1311) permits counties to exceed the usual statutory cap when revenues for a fiscal year do not cover operational costs and recommended the county phrase the resolution specifically for the upcoming fiscal year and include required notifications to the Maryland 9-1-1 board and the comptroller within 60 days.
Committee members expressed general reluctance about raising fees but supported this increase because they said it directly pays for 9-1-1 call-taking, texting and new technology that saves lives. "As much as I don't want to raise fees in general, I certainly am in favor of this fee being raised. I think it literally will save lives," the chair said. OMB and 9-1-1 staff signaled that operating costs are unlikely to fall in future years, meaning the fee may remain at similar levels or rise in subsequent years.
The committee approved recommended changes to the resolution language and endorsed forwarding the item with suggested edits for notification compliance; staff will update the text to specify fiscal-year scope and notice requirements.
