Phone surcharge allocation unfair

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4:15 PM Friday, November 20, 2009

In April, the Dayton Daily News reported that four local communities would lose $403,000 in income in the next four years due to a change in the manner in which revenue from the 28 cent-per month cell phone surcharge is distributed by Montgomery County (“Dispatch centers left off surcharge dole,” April 2).

Estimated losses were:

• Moraine: $62,411

• Oakwood: $83,713

• Vandalia: $132,144

• West Carrollton: $125,049

This change resulted from the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 129 near the end of 2008. While lowering the cell phone surcharge from 32 cents to 28 cents a month, it limited to five the number of communities with 911 dispatch centers in any one county eligible to receive funds from this surcharge.

As there are nine cities with 911 dispatch centers in Montgomery County, the four cities listed above were left out of any distribution. Taxpayers in these communities pay the surcharge but get nothing in return.

Since Jon Husted was the representative from Ohio House District 37, which included three of the affected communities, and also Speaker of the House, it’s difficult to understand how he allowed this to happen.

Husted is now a state senator representing Ohio District 6, which includes the four affected cities. He should act promptly to correct this inequity.

Skip Ordeman

Oakwood

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