The Talbot County Council unanimously voted on the first local 911 fee increase in almost 20 years.

A resolution to amend the 911 fee for Talbot County, increasing the fee from $0.75 per month to $1.50 per month was introduced on April 11, 2023 with a public hearing held on April 25, 2023. The last increase from $0.50 to $0.75 was enacted in 2004.

Maryland’s 9-1-1 system is an integral part of emergency communication services ensuring that emergencies are reported and personnel are dispatched in a timely manner to deal with life threatening situations. The state allows each county to impose a 911 fee to cover operation costs of the 911 system during the fiscal year. This fee is imposed on every telephone bill with a portion of the fee goes to the state with the remainder remitted to the county.  Increases in the fee occur when the revenues are no longer sufficient to meet the operating costs.

The increase will allow the county to increase the direct offset of 911 center service costs from around 30% to almost 45% and reduce the amount covered by the county’s general fund generated by property taxes.

To learn more about Talbot County Emergency Services visit their homepage  or to meet the members of the 911 service center see the highlights from National Public Safety Telecommunicator Week on their Facebook page.