The Lake County Council is poised to pass a resolution that would ask for 911 services to be added to the Indiana General Assembly’s upcoming legislative agenda.
The council discussed the resolution in a Thursday study session ahead of its Tuesday meeting.
According to council documents, the resolution asks for a $2 increase to state 911 fees and enhanced prepaid wireless telecommunication service charges to be added to the agenda.
“It’s been about 10 years since it increased, and costs have gone up, and funds are needed,” said Council President Christine Cid, D-5th. “We want some legislation at session, and we want to get that out as soon as possible.”
Indiana Code currently has a $1 911 service wireless charge, according to resolution documents, and the state 911 board can only increase the fee once between April 30, 2023, and July 1, 2026. The increase cannot exceed $0.10, according to Indiana Code.
The state 911 board distributes funds to county treasurers, which helps with property development, operation and maintenance of the statewide emergency system.
“911 services have grown both in geographic scope and in the level of service provided,” council documents said. “The revenue used to fund 911 services consists almost entirely of fees and surcharges on wireline, wireless, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol telephone lines. These fees and surcharges generate billions of dollars each year, but 911 service revenues still fall short of estimated annual costs. Expenditures for personnel and for technology maintenance and upgrades have also increased over time…”
An interlocal agreement consolidated emergency 911 services for Lake County’s cities and towns, according to Post-Tribune archives. The consolidation occurred in January 2015, but dispatchers weren’t brought together until October 2015.
Lake County Councilman Randy Niemeyer, R-7th, said Thursday that he has met with State Treasurer Daniel Elliott and his team about the resolution.
“The state treasurer is in charge of statewide 911, and he requested this resolution to be able to advocate to the General Assembly on behalf of Lake County for that increased fee … because it is an act of legislation … that allows this to happen,” Niemeyer said. “This is an important item for us to be able to bring a little more sustainable revenue stream for the service.”
The State Treasurer’s office was unable to immediately respond to a request for comment about the resolution.
The Lake County Council is expected to vote on the resolution on Tuesday.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/lake-county-council-urges-legislature-to-increase-911-fee/
