Several Ind. counties are asking their state lawmakers for legisl...
Several Ind. counties are asking their state lawmakers for legislation next year that would raise the cap on local 911 surcharges, citing sharp rate increases by Verizon for 911 service. The counties in Verizon’s service area say the telco…
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is imposing increases of up to 400% when renewing 911 service contracts. Tippecanoe County, for instance, said its monthly 911 bill from Verizon rose from $5,000 to $20,000 in the new 3-year service contract with Verizon. The telco said that as contracts come up for renewal, there will be substantial 911 rate increases in every community where it is the 911 phone provider; it said the increases were prompted by audits that showed its charges weren’t covering service costs. Currently, Tippecanoe County imposes a 95 cent monthly charge on land lines and 65 cents per cellphone number. Under present state law, local 911 fees are capped at $1 for landlines, and cellphone fees at 65 cents. Even at the caps, some county officials said they would have to draw on reserves to cover their 911 bills, which would carry them only for a limited time. State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R) said he has heard from county officials in his district who want 911 fee caps raised, but he said this could be an opportunity to study how 911 in general is best funded. The only other option counties have is purchasing their own 911 routing equipment, but that would entail counties shouldering the capital and operating costs.