Pierce County and Rugby voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to County Measure 1 on Nov. 4. The measure will ask voters to approve or decline a 9-1-1 fee increase of 50 cents from $1 to $1.50.

The 9-1-1 fee was designed to be a source of funding for the Public Safety Answering Point (9-1-1 dispatch center), according to a press release from Pierce County Auditor Karin Fursather.

The release says due to an increase in population and operational costs, an increase is being requested. Operational costs include staff salaries, equipment maintenance, communication lines and network connections.

The proposed change will affect any individual who receives their phone bill to an address located in Pierce County. The fee is charged to landlines, cellular phones and Voiceover Internet Protocol connections.

The release also said that existing equipment must be updated to meet new technology.

– Tribune Staff Report