Atlanta Wants Higher 911 Fee

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – There's a 911 fee on your phone bill every month. The fee funds emergency response centers. Atlanta residents could see that fee go up if the state legislature passes a bill.

The city will ask the state legislature to raise the fee from $1.50 to $3. The increase would cover all costs from Atlanta's e911 center. Right now, the fee covers 75% of the center's $16 million dollar budget.

"Which means the general fund pays for approximately 25% of the operating budget for the 911 center," said Atlanta Chief Financial Officer Jim Beard.

Next year, the city will ask the state legislature to approve a bill raising the monthly fee to $3. The request comes after the city rolled out a web service aimed at improving its 911 efficiency.