Pitkin County’s emergency dispatch department is has applied to increase fees collected from the public.
Right now, users see a $1.25 fee each month on their phone bills, officials are hoping to increase that amount to $2.00.
The Regional Dispatch Center serves all nine emergency fire and law agencies in the Roaring Fork Valley. and has seen a 98 percent increase in calls since 2010.
The dispatch center is seeking to replace what it calls antiquated technology.
“The funds from the increased surcharge will help offset the cost of replacing the Emergency Dispatch Center’s current landline telephone system with next generation 9-1-1 equipment which is estimated to be $400,000,” according to a press release from 911 commander Brett Loeb.
The dispatch center also hopes to use increased fees to keep the office staffed. The dispatch center requires three staffers on duty during high volume hours, but at times has operated with just one person.
The emergency dispatch center has filed the increase fee application with the state’s public utilities board, if approved the charge would go into effect by May.
