News and Announcements

JAMES KERN III
NJAC 1st Vice President
Warren County Commissioner

As costs rise, New Jerseyans are looking more and more closely at every bill. Every month, unbeknownst to many, individuals pay ninety cents on their cell phone bill that is supposed to fund the state’s 911 system. That fee is meant to keep emergency call centers modern, staffed, and ready to respond when someone’s life is on the line. But for nearly twenty years, the state has treated it like a slush fund, diverting billions of dollars away from the very purpose for which it was created.

The numbers are staggering. Since 2006, New Jersey has collected about 1.75 billion dollars in 911 fees. Only about 11 percent of that money has been spent on federally eligible 911 expenses. The rest has gone to cover unrelated items in the state budget. In 2023 alone, the state took in more than 123 million dollars from phone users but could only show that 13 million dollars was used for legitimate 911 costs. That means over 100 million dollars was misdirected in a single year.

This is more than a budget gimmick. It is a betrayal of public trust and a dangerous practice that leaves counties like Warren holding the bag. Warren County operates a communications center that handles calls for twenty two towns, twenty two fire departments, twelve EMS agencies, and ten police departments. The county pays the full cost to keep that system running, even though every phone user in the county is already paying the 911 fee through their monthly bill. In effect, residents are being taxed twice.

The problem is compounded by the state’s two percent property tax cap, which strictly limits how much counties and municipalities can raise to meet local needs. Counties are forced to absorb the full cost of 911 operations within that cap, while Trenton diverts money meant for exactly this purpose. This means local governments have fewer resources for other essential services and taxpayers shoulder the burden that the state is shirking.

Both state and federal law make it clear that 911 funds must be used for 911 purposes. New Jersey’s long standing diversion violates that requirement, and it undermines the safety of every resident who expects reliable service when they dial for help.

Warren County’s lawsuit against the state is about fairness, transparency, and accountability. If the state collects money under the banner of 911, it must be used for 911. Anything less is a breach of duty.

New Jersey must stop raiding 911 funds. The money belongs to the system that saves lives. It is time to honor that commitment.