A bill (SB 2407/HB2255), passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in April and taking effect on Jan. 1, will lower the 911 surcharge on landlines for citizens of DeKalb County.

While telephone subscribers with a landline will see 911 surcharges reduced in 2015, cell phone customers will see a slight increase in the charge. DeKalb County Emergency Communications District Director Bradley Mullinax said the 911 Funding Modernization and IP Transition Act of 2014 updates the existing model for funding 911 to account for changes in technology and consumer choice by establishing a single, uniform 911 surcharge rate.

The new uniform rate accounts for advancements in technology needed to provide Tennesseans with prompt and accurate 911 services, and it is intended to adequately fund local 911 services in light of the ongoing reduction of landline use across the State. Accordingly, DeKalb County residential and business lines, currently charged at $1.50 and $3.00 respectively, will be adjusted to $1.16 per month. The cellular 911 surcharge will also be adjusted from $1 to $1.16 per month. Under the new law all communications providers will remit 911 fees to The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, which in turn would remit 911 funds to local 911 Districts throughout the State in the amount no less than the 911 revenue received by each district during FY 2012.

"Our highest priority is the public safety to the citizens of DeKalb County” said DeKalb County 911 Director Brad Mullinax. “Dispatchers and 911 call takers remain dedicated to ensure the quality of 911 service and response.”

The Act also supports the state’s Next Generation 911 program. Next Generation 911 will provide better information and data to first responders, which allows local 911 operators to more quickly assess an emergency. As a result, the necessary equipment and personnel can promptly respond to the scene.

“The 911 Funding Modernization and IP Transition Act of 2014 will provide the resources necessary to ensure that the citizens of Tennessee receive the best 911 service available,” said Tennessee Emergency Communications Executive Director Curtis Sutton. Sutton said it was extremely important that local governments understand that this new law flattens the local 911 revenue, those 911 Districts who provide direct dispatching services will have to charge receiving agencies for dispatching services or discontinue those services. It's important to understand that 911 surcharge fees were never meant to fund the cost of dispatch operations.

The new uniform rate goes into effect Jan. 1. Customers will likely notice a change reflecting the new rate on their January telephone and cellular phone bills.