Cape County voters will see 911 subscriber fee on April ballot

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Cape County voters will soon decide whether to pay more for emergency services as a proposed 911 fee will be seen on Cape County’s upcoming ballot.

The Cape County Commission and 911 Advisory Board have placed a 911 subscriber fee proposal on April 7th ballots.

Michael Gentry is the chief of the Gordonville Fire Protection District he shares what voters should know about the fee.

“What that does is it will impose, if approved, a $1.00 fee per active cell phone device that is able to call 911, a $1.00 fee per month” says Gentry.

Gentry shares currently there is an 8% landline tax in Cape County but as cellphones have become more popular many households have done away with landlines, leaving funding shortages for capes two 911 centers. 

According to the proposal citizens of Cape Girardeau will benefit from the subscriber fee by ensuring that there is a fully functioning 911 dispatch center available when citizens are in need.

According to data in 2025 $266, 504 was brought in through the current 8% landline tax, and in 2016 $403, 150 was brought in through the tax, showing a significant decrease in funding.

 “If that dollar surcharge passes, then the 8% tax would go away” says Gentry. “So that will not exist anymore, and this will bring in funding to maintain and in the future with future upgrades and, progression of the 911 dispatch centers.” 

According to Gentry if not passed the 911 centers could experience funding shortages that could lead to possible public safety concerns, Gentry saying that Cape County’s two 911 dispatch centers play a crucial role for first responders.

 “Yeah the 911 subscriber fees is something that I would definitely vote yes for on April 7th” says Gentry.