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Murphy council backs statewide increase to wireless 9‑1‑1 fee to shore up funding
Summary
Council unanimously adopted a resolution asking the Texas Legislature to raise the wireless 9‑1‑1 fee from $0.50 to $0.75 per device, citing a projected statewide shortfall and rising costs to implement Next Generation 9‑1‑1 technology.
The Murphy City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the state to raise the wireless 9‑1‑1 fee from $0.50 to $0.75 per device to help pay for Next Generation 9‑1‑1 upgrades.
Council member (S11), who introduced the item, told the council the fee has remained 50¢ per device since 1997 and that statewide funding is not keeping pace with rising costs for technology, staffing and cybersecurity. "The statewide 911 wireless fee has remained 50¢ per device since 1997," the councilmember said, describing an "unsustainable shortfall." He cited data the city received showing a statewide deficit of $75,900,000 in 2022 projected to grow to $112,900,000 by 2027.
Leanna Russell, 9‑1‑1 data manager for the North Central Texas Emergency Communication District, explained the district'level impacts and capabilities at stake. "We were the first in the state of Texas and fifth in the nation to implement text to 911," Russell said, and described other technical work including cloud dispatch mapping and real‑time text capability with major wireless providers. Russell told the council an increase to 75¢ would reduce the shortfall while keeping Texas fees among the lowest nationally.
Council members asked questions about how the funds are collected and distributed; Russell described that the state comptroller collects the fees into a trust fund and allocates shares monthly. The council voted to adopt the resolution and pledged to send the language to nearby jurisdictions and the district director for further advocacy. The motion to approve was made and seconded and passed unanimously.
Next steps: councilmember (S11) said he would share the resolution with other city councils and district contacts to build regional support before the Legislature considers changes.
