Georgia shorted $85m in 911 fee lawsuit claims

MARIETTA, Ga. - Cobb and Gwinnett Counties claim big telecommunications companies are cheating 911 centers out of millions of dollars a year. It's an allegation you're starting to hear all across the country. 

The law requires that telecom companies collect 911 fees then pass that money along to local governments to help fund 911 centers. Our FOX 5 I-Team investigation finds both counties have filed lawsuits claiming that's not happening and taxpayers are being cheated.

911 call centers nationwide struggle with meeting budget. Keeping up with new technology - that can get life-saving help to you faster - costs money.

John Bevis of the Barnes Law Group said when they come up short, taxpayers carry the burden.  

"It's going to come from the general fund, which comes from the taxpayers. And that was never the intent by the general assembly when it enacted the 911 charge."

The 911 Act dates back to the 70s. Take a look at your phone bill. Your phone company tacks up to $1.50 onto every phone line whether it comes through the computer, a landline or a cell phone. They collect that for the state to help pay for 911 services, services that can save lives. The telecom companies even get a cut for their trouble.