Tuesday Votes on 911 Fees

This Tuesday’s election has big Presidential choice at the top, but there are also hundreds of local elections that include some 911 issues. There are several California cities that have ballot measures to eliminate their existing 911 “fee,” and replace it with a “tax,” intended to avoid court challenges that have forced other cities to withdraw their 911 fees. Download (pdf) the San Jose (Calif.) ballot measure here, showing that revenues would go to the general fund, and would not be limited to 911-related expenses. Muskogee County (Okla.) voters may approve a surcharge increase to fund 911 system improvements, while Bonners Ferry (Idaho) voters choose whether to impose a first-ever $1 monthly surcharge to upgrade from B911 to E911. Emmet County (Iowa) voters will vote on increasing the monthly surcharge from $1 to $2 to upgrade the public safety radio system and the 911 telephone system.