Commission asks staff for 911 per‑call data as members press for fairer municipal billing

Commissioners directed staff to assemble detailed 911 dispatch figures and return with a proposed resolution after a lengthy debate over how per‑call costs are allocated among the county and its municipalities.

Commissioner Grove urged the county to “make it uniform,” arguing that some municipalities are not paying their fair share for 911 calls and that the current arrangement discriminates against towns that contribute taxes but rely on county‑provided dispatch.

The sheriff explained the existing method: the 911 budget is apportioned using prior‑year call counts, and the county pays for sheriff deputies, ambulance service, emergency management and volunteer fire departments in addition to its share of dispatch costs. "When a county deputy...gets a call...the 911 system charges the city of White Bluff $3 and something for sending that deputy there," the sheriff said, noting varied per‑call charges and that the county’s share uses the previous calendar year’s total calls as the basis for distribution.

Commissioners and the mayor noted this year’s increase in 911 fees after the governor halted a change in how the charge could be applied to phone bills, and several lawmakers said the county currently pays roughly half of the 911 budget (transcript discussion estimated a $2 million total 911 budget with the county’s share about $1 million). Commissioners asked staff to provide exact per‑call counts for Charlotte and other municipalities and to circulate the detailed numbers to commissioners two weeks before the next meeting so members can review them individually.

A motion by Commissioner Grove, seconded by Commissioner Dawson, asked staff to prepare options to either distribute the 911 cost evenly or require municipalities to pay for calls originating within their boundaries; the commission moved the matter to the regular session with direction to return with numbers and draft resolution language.

Next steps: county staff will compile per‑call figures and cost‑share calculations and email them to commissioners at least two weeks before the follow‑up meeting; the commission will consider a resolution or other changes at an upcoming session.