Steuben County government this week issued a press release supporting a federal report critical of the way New York handles the landline and cell phone fees designed for 911. By law, the fees are supposed to be set aside to support 911 Centers. However, New York deposits those funds in the statewide general fund. "We've been fighting this for years," said Allegany County Sheriff Rick Whitney. He noted that the county is in the midst of a major 911 and communications upgrade, but work can only be completed as 'grant' money is awarded. Whitney said he, the county legislature and other organizations have been pressing the state government for years to change the funding distribution. Currently, Allegany County has no voice in the state senate following the resignation of Cathy Young. Whitney admits that it is "tough to plan." While the sheriff admits "we're not in crisis-we're good," but he said any long term planning is a challenge.
New York puts more than 90 percent of the landline and cell
phone fees - roughly $171 million – into the state's general fund, and passes
out the remaining money as grants to counties to upgrade essential equipment,
according to a recent report by the FCC.
Diverting the fees to pay for other state costs endangers
the public safety and prevents 911 centers from providing reliable services to
the public, according to Federal Communications Commissioner Mike Rielly.
