By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—After an explanation from Henry County 911 Director Mark Archer on how 911 funds are distributed, the county 911 board encouraged him to lobby for more equitable distribution among the counties in Tennessee.
Archer explained that the law changed that established how 911 surcharges are collected and because of that change, Henry County is losing $114,000. He said other counties are becoming “financially distressed” due to the changes.
Henry County was receiving 64 cents for residential and $2 for business lines, Archer explained after the meeting, “We have more residential phones than we do business phones. Some other counties in Tennessee were at a rate of $1.50 and $3. When the new law was passed in 2014, the fee was changed to $1.16 (for Henry County).”
Archer said he felt that Henry Countians should be the ones who decide what to do with our money. “Right now politics is not on our side. I need direction from our board. It just bothers me that our citizens are not getting use out of our money.”
Board Chair John Etheridge encouraged Archer to lobby for a change. “You have always acted professionally with our political leaders in the past” and asked him to contact legislators on the matter.
Board Member Sheriff Monte Belew agreed, noting, “Nobody on this board wants Henry County money going to” another county.
In other business, Archer noted he has been with the 911 program now for 23 years. “I just wanted to say that I’ve always appreciated your support and I appreciate my job.” Board members thanked him for the job he is doing for the 911 program.
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