HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A 911 funding bill was signed into law by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in early May of this year, doubling the emergency service fee for prepaid wireless cellular customers, and increasing at a of cost by fifty-percent for contract provider users.

Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw signed a resolution adopting the statewide change. Contract cell phone fees will increase from $1.00 per line to $1.50 per line. Prepaid cellular plans will expand from .75 cents to $1.50 per transaction. The current landline charge will remain stable at $1.50.

Calls for help in emergency situations can mean the difference between life or death, and advanced technology is needed to pin-point the exact location of incoming calls. Keeping software up to date allows 911 dispatchers to send emergency crews faster.

The statewide emergency service charge will be set apart in a separate account, used specifically to upgrade local 911 systems.

House Bill 751 becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2019.