State Bill May Affect Crawford County 911 Funds

A bill passed by the Missouri legislature and signed by Gov. Mike Parson in July could affect the funding of Crawford County 911.

House Bill 1456 allows each county a choice of implementing a tax on any device that contact 911, including cell phones. 

The bill states that beginning January 1, 2019, there is a prepaid wireless emergency telephone service charge on each retail transaction of 3 percent.

Missouri was the only state that didn’t collect a tax or fee on wireless devices for 911. 

More than 80 percent of 911 calls from a wireless device.

Crawford County 911 Director Michael Lockhart addressed county commissioners Tuesday on an issue that has arose from the bill, saying there is verbiage that could strip dispatch’s sales tax.

“There is an opt-out to (the bill),” Lockhart said. “The Department of Revenue has taken the verbal position that if you do not opt out, (we) will lose our 3/8th cent sales tax and receive only a portion of the 3 percent tax.”

Lockhart said he has spoken with other 911 directors and they are getting differing legal opinions. According to Crawford County’s 911 counsel, they are being advised not to opt out at this time.

“Wait until DOR has a firm, written legal opinion on it,” said Lockhart about when they will make a decision. 

Lockhart said the 911 board voted Monday night asking the commission to not opt out. The deadline for the opt-out was Friday.

According to Lockhart, 911’s attorney is of the opinion that the opt-out won’t be what everyone is making it out to be.

A meeting was being held Tuesday morning in Jefferson City between DOR, the attorney general’s office and other parties to discuss the bill.