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Commissioners back resolution asking Legislature to study 9‑1‑1 funding and fee adjustment
Summary
The court unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑07 asking the Texas Legislature to study a sustainable funding model for next‑generation 9‑1‑1, citing a flat per‑device fee and increasing costs for regional 9‑1‑1 operations.
Johnson County commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑07 on April 13, urging the Legislature to study a sustainable funding mechanism for next‑generation 9‑1‑1 services and to consider adjusting the current per‑device fee to account for inflation and changing telephony usage.
Commissioner White (S22), who serves on the NCT9‑1‑1 board, told the court the regional organization was formed in 1997 and has relied on taxes/fees on telephone devices that have not kept pace with technology and costs. "In 29 years, they have not got any more revenue coming in," he said, noting increasing operating and equipment needs such as software to locate international callers and handle new call types. The court approved the nonbinding resolution and directed staff to forward it to state legislators and NCT9‑1‑1 leadership.
The resolution asks for study of options including a CPI‑indexed fee and regional return of collected funds, and it emphasizes that any revenue dedicated for 9‑1‑1 should be spent only on 9‑1‑1 service. The court described the item as a policy statement and not a funding appropriation; commissioners said they would continue advocacy in coordination with Representative Helen Kerwin and regional partners.
