911 funding must be prioritized and put into proper perspective
News Date: Thursday, September 21, 2023
Pennsylvanians want to be heard in the most challenging or devastating moments of their lives, and they want to know help is on the way.
With the first week of the fall session behind us, it is increasingly imperative that 911 funding and reauthorization be a priority for everyone. At this moment, the current funding source – a surcharge on every phone line – is due to expire in less than four months. If that 911 surcharge is allowed to sunset, counties will have to pick up the entire $506.2 million in estimated total costs, nearly tripling the burden on county property taxpayers.
We’ve done a lot of work already to achieve significant cost savings in recent years, while also implementing a Next Generation System that will improve system performance and caller experience for years to come. However, even if the statute is reauthorized, the current 911 surcharge must be increased, so that Pennsylvania can continue to invest in one of the most efficient 911 dispatch systems in the country.
Read: The value of life-saving emergency services is worth the price tag
If you compare Pennsylvania’s surcharge to other states, you may believe it is on the higher end. However, an often-overlooked caveat is that other states also contribute funds from other sources, such as their General Funds, while Pennsylvania is solely reliant on the surcharge for dedicated 911 funding from the state, and any unfunded costs otherwise come from county property taxes. In fact, county property taxpayers are currently shouldering about $169.6 million of the cost of the system, about 34.8%. If the surcharge isn’t increased, that amount will steadily increase, to $188.2 million, an 11% increase to county property taxpayers in 2024.
Counties are asking for a modest increase that would cost residents approximately an extra 65 cents a month. That small increase will ensure that there is always a trained professional on the other end of the line if someone has to call 911, and the caller will know that first responders are being dispatched with the latest and best technology to address the emergency.
Pennsylvanians want to be heard in the most challenging or devastating moments of their lives, and they want to know help is on the way. An extra 65 cents per month for peace of mind is an incredible value.
We’ve done a lot of work already to achieve significant cost savings in recent years, while also implementing a Next Generation System that will improve system performance and caller experience for years to come. However, even if the statute is reauthorized, the current 911 surcharge must be increased, so that Pennsylvania can continue to invest in one of the most efficient 911 dispatch systems in the country.
Read: The value of life-saving emergency services is worth the price tag
If you compare Pennsylvania’s surcharge to other states, you may believe it is on the higher end. However, an often-overlooked caveat is that other states also contribute funds from other sources, such as their General Funds, while Pennsylvania is solely reliant on the surcharge for dedicated 911 funding from the state, and any unfunded costs otherwise come from county property taxes. In fact, county property taxpayers are currently shouldering about $169.6 million of the cost of the system, about 34.8%. If the surcharge isn’t increased, that amount will steadily increase, to $188.2 million, an 11% increase to county property taxpayers in 2024.
Counties are asking for a modest increase that would cost residents approximately an extra 65 cents a month. That small increase will ensure that there is always a trained professional on the other end of the line if someone has to call 911, and the caller will know that first responders are being dispatched with the latest and best technology to address the emergency.
Pennsylvanians want to be heard in the most challenging or devastating moments of their lives, and they want to know help is on the way. An extra 65 cents per month for peace of mind is an incredible value.