The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Cell phones to be taxed for 911 services
User charge of 19 cents a month will fund 911 centers
By Krystle Dunham, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008
Residents who only use a cell phone and no longer use a landline will soon notice a change in charges.
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The state House passed a plan Dec. 12 that preserves funding for local 911 centers. The plan will ensure that first-responders throughout Michigan can act quickly to help residents in life-threatening situations and protect rural communities.
The plan will protect state funding that helps establish, maintain and operate 911 systems throughout Michigan. Users of any 911-enabled device, including landlines, cell phones and Internet phones, will pay the same user charge of 19 cents a month. The money will help ensure that counties can operate their 911 systems.
State Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-52nd District, said the plan came out of the Senate in May and was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Once the plan was brought to the House, provisions were made and the phone tax was decided.
"Anyone that has a phone can access the 911 systems," Byrnes said. "This plan ensures safety and it is keeping 911 systems up to speed."
Byrnes also said the plan will now allow counties to add their own service charges if they choose.
Joyce Williams, a public relations representative for Huron Valley Ambulance, said for several years people were using landlines and the service charge to operate the 911 centers went directly to the landline. When cell phones started to become more popular, Williams said people started getting rid of their landline and went solely to using a cell phone. At this time, cell phones were not being charged.
"This plan is going to ensure stability of 911 centers," Williams said. "Everyone will now be on the same level as far as charges go."
The plan also requires that counties use all of the funding solely for the purpose of implementing, maintaining and operating their 911 centers.
"I'm glad that they got this plan passed," Saline Police Chief Paul Bunten said. "This enables us to keep the funding going," he said.
Bunten said updating technology for his dispatchers can be expensive and the plan "is much needed."
Saline Fire Chief Craig Hoeft said the plan will help funding for the community's dispatchers.
"Anytime there is funding for emergency services, it's always a plus," he said.
Hoeft also said that the plan will help the Saline Fire Department with its operating budget.
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