Madison County officials discussed a new 911 fee for residents during a fiscal court meeting Tuesday.
It would replace a flat landline fee with one that’s dependent on square footage. It’s being put into place next month as federal funding through the local Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program expires.
Deputy Judge Executive Jill Williams says part of that has to do with the risk to first responders.
“It’s unreasonable to expect that a resident that's living in a modest mobile home that pays the same 911 fee as a 10 bedroom house, where you have a greater risk but you also have a greater occupancy load,” Williams said.
That comes amid confusion from a number of residents. A number of notices sent out had the wrong square footage of their properties, which resulted in higher fees.
Deputy Judge Executive Jill Williams says they’ve been working to correct the data, and are asking residents to appeal.
“Updating and getting this information correct only helps our 911 call center and our first responders,” Williams said. “You respond to a fire differently if you know that it is a single family branch than a multi, fourplex.”
The original deadline for Madison County residents to appeal was set for June 30. It’s since been pushed back to July 11.
Those affected can appeal here.
