County Judges Push for More 911 Cellphone Fees
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: February 11, 2013
In a legislative session with many budget priorities, county judges are saying they plan to make sure their voice is heard at the state capitol, and that could mean more fees for your cellphone.
Judges from all 75 counties are in North Little Rock for the next two days for the Association of County Judges meeting.
This year with the legislature in session, county judges are pushing for an increase in fees for 911 calls coming from cellphones.
In some counties an estimated 90 percent of calls come from cellphones, but 911 centers are overwhelmingly funded from dwindling land-line fees.
County Judge President Mike Lincoln, from White County, says they're not asking for a tax increase.
"We don't look at it as a tax, we look at it as a fee providing a service," Judge Lincoln says. "No one wants 911 to go away."
Lincoln added that he doesn't think that's going to happen, but without an increase in fees, it leaves counties, especially small, rural counties, operating in the red.
Judges from all 75 counties are in North Little Rock for the next two days for the Association of County Judges meeting.
This year with the legislature in session, county judges are pushing for an increase in fees for 911 calls coming from cellphones.
In some counties an estimated 90 percent of calls come from cellphones, but 911 centers are overwhelmingly funded from dwindling land-line fees.
County Judge President Mike Lincoln, from White County, says they're not asking for a tax increase.
"We don't look at it as a tax, we look at it as a fee providing a service," Judge Lincoln says. "No one wants 911 to go away."
Lincoln added that he doesn't think that's going to happen, but without an increase in fees, it leaves counties, especially small, rural counties, operating in the red.
